The life of Dan Rice

PREFACE.

HERE is no more fascinating exercise for the mind or imag-
__ ination than to contemplate the career of a gifted man or
woman; and the man who illustrates and adorns the profession, to
which choice or chance has assigned, should ever be regarded as
a fit item for history — whatever that lot might have been. But
more especially is this the experience with the man, who, from
any circumstances or powers of mind, bursts the fetters of a lowly
fortune or position, and, rising superior to common fate, makes
for himself a path to higher destiny and forms a niche in its tem
ple which, in af tertime, an impartial world will deem him worthy
to occupy.

" Honor and fame from no condition rise
Act well your part — therein the honor lies."

The history of Dan Rice is replete with startling incident, in
structive fact, and dramatic situations; whilst the trend of
thought and action which that history develops, exhibits a
mind, heart, and purpose, combined with the rarest elements.
He has lived a varied, adventurous life, has travelled extensively,
and mingled with all sorts and conditions of men, the noble-
minded and the base. He has been a keen observer, a profound
student of mankind, and in his own person has been subjected
to almost every sort of trial, domestic or otherwise, bitter ex
periences which have served to expand and strengthen these
characteristics which have proved to be the mainspring of his
triumphs in after life.

Imbued with a well-nigh insatiable love of nature, of a no
madic tendency, with just a trifling tinge of the Bohemian in his
temperament — little wonder that at an early age he left the roof
of his childhood and became a cosmopolite, before he had im
bibed scarcely more than the primary rudiments of the school
room or formed any stable habits of the right, for at that early
period — when association was most likely to give bias to his
character — he was cast upon the cold and unsympathetic ocean of
life — no beacon light to direct his pathway — the child of circum
stance — the nursling of fate.

Too much credit cannot be awarded to one who commenced
his career under such untoward conditions and conflicting cir-

103

IV PKEFACE

cumstances, and yet achieve so proud a foothold among his
fellows.

It is an incentive to the ambitious — a spur to the self-reliant
but lowly circumstanced in life, exemplifying as it does, with
such a wealth of eloquent and effective incident and adventure,
disheartening trials and temptations, incidental to and insep
arable from the isolated and self-sought career which the brave-
hearted but friendless lad mapped out for himself, how in after
years the sturdy stripling, having developed his native gifts and
utilized the knowledge acquired in the school of experience, for
ever removed, through the influence of a rugged honesty of pur
pose and unswerving principle in execution, the traditional odium
from a peculiar class, and thus conferred a benefit upon all who
may become identified with a profession of which he was so prom
inent — and it may be added, the most illustrious — member.

He was yet to know the inebriating sweetness of a popular
applause, to witness the bitter revolutions consequent upon that
profession's subsequent lapse from popular favor to well-merited
censure. An active, athletic lad of quick perception and ready
tact, practically friendless and homeless, young Dan Rice, how
ever, was not long in attracting the attention of all with whom he
came in contact. The very novelty of such a juvenile, precocious
cosmopolite induced the inquiry, " Who is he?" and his per
tinacity in repelling all such inquiries gathered around him an
ever-increasing curiosity and interest. His taste for and love
of horses, which has since been so strongly evinced, led him to
the racecourse and to every place where horses or horsemen were
collected.

A certain magnetism of manner, inviting amiability and hon
est ingenuousness, which in a more mature manhood culminated
in an almost resistless fascination, attracted toward him an illus
trious circle of lifelong friendships, many of whom have acquired
national distinction, and it is significant of the resistless charms
with which he swayed individuals, and vast audiences, that those
friends of his early youth have been faithful and constant to the
end. No public man can boast of a larger or more conspicuous
circle, 'including as the list does, statesmen, scholars, scientists,
men of world-wide fame in the armies and navies of every nation,
as well as countless thousands who have acquired fame in the
more humanizing walks of life.

When he finally drifted into the profession wherein he ac
quired such fame, and wherein at the outset he distinguished
himself from his fellows by his superior activity, and athletic
and gymnastic powers, it was not long until it was discovered
that his native wit, acute sense of the ridiculous and humorous
conception could be most profitably utilized in motley garb. His

PREFACE V

wit was Attic and spontaneous, conceived with electric instinct,
and thus was given to the world a humorist whose supremacy
was at once recognized, and whose fame was equal with the most
distinguished members of the more assuming histrionic profes
sions.

It was thus that upon the very threshold of his career he
attained celebrity for not only rare genius, but for a refinement
and polish of address, high-toned sentiment, and sterling worth;
the latter quality being established by his benevolent and chari
table actions. Hence he obtained easy access to any and every
avenue of social life in which he desired to move, and became the
courted guest of every charmed circle in which intellectuality
held sway.

In the course of his eventful career opportunities had been
presented in a more exalted sphere, and he has been importuned
to enter the arena of politics, and upon more than one occasion
overtures have been made to allow himself to be nominated for
Congress and State Senate, and at one period for President, in
1808, in Xew York, where his oratorical ability and brilliant
originality would have been of incalculable service to the party
he espoused. But, however distasteful the profession with which
he was connected, he shrank from the harassing turmoil, agita
tions, and antagonisms of political strife, and preferred to reign
supreme in the more remunerative, if less exalted, walk of life,
which in later years he invested with a distinction unknown prior
to his advent.

A waif thrown on the world at an almost childish age, yet
struggling with the inherent ambition of his nature to build up
a name and position, surrounded by influences which would dis
may the less resolute, and combating circumstances which were
most unfavorable to the development of his genius, yet with the
indomitable spirit of a hero, in whose vocabulary there was no
such word as fail, he succeeded in establishing a name and repu
tation which will live after these memoirs have left his memory
behind. And yet his name will live forever fragrant with
memories of his many charitable and beneficent bequests, which
are not the less appreciated because unblazoned and without
ostentation.

His rise was rapid, meteoric; from his school-boy days when
he succeeded in upsetting the gravity of the learned faculty of
Princeton with ludicrous translations and burlesque construc
tions of the ancient classics, making game of august professors
in grave discussions upon disputed points in ethics, and finally
on his way home, with a " flea in his ear " and his expulsion in
his pocket, on up to when, still a mere lad, he is soon after found
in the West, eliciting the most sapient of sayings from the most

VI PREFACE

erudite of pigs, dancing himself into the good graces of the Dig
gers about Galena, 111., as a veritable Ethiopian — his life was ka
leidoscopic. Now we find him running the gauntlet of the
authorities of Davenport and Rock Island for licenses unpaid,
disseminating Mormon doctrines, with an especial commissioji
from Joe Smith at $50 per month, to see a miracle, to which Ma
homet's coffin was not a circumstance.

Next we find him exposing the great mesmerizer De Bonne-
ville, for being too strong a competitor of his learned pig, and
the next day, having lured away his subject, lecturing upon
Phreno-mesmerism, with an eclat to which the great Magnetizer
could not aspire. Political controversies, temperance lectures,
herculean labor, comic negro songs, and still more comical
speeches — with itinerant shows — leading characters in the Peri
patetic Thespian Corps — everything served to keep the ball in
motion, until about three years after, when Dan succeeded
in discovering the true bent of his genius and set himself to
work to achieve a reputation.

Indefatigable study, incessant researches, and a more than
usual share of nature's gifts, caused the mountebank who made
his debut as a clown of a circus on the Western prairies, three
years since, to wake up in New York four months afterward
with a fame well-nigh world-wide. From this time his strides
to the goal of his ambition were rapid. Taken by the hand in
New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore by many who detected
the latent spark of genius, there was soon presented the singular
spectacle of a fool in motley dress calling out audiences who had
never before deigned to cater to anything less artistic than an
Italian opera troupe or a five-act tragedy. His rise was meteor-
like, bringing to bear as he did, all the accessories with which his
varied life had made him familiar.

Truly his career furnishes an extraordinary example of what
can be accomplished by tact, combined with indomitable per
severance and energy. In the course of his life he made and
spent several fortunes, rendered his name "as familiar as a
household word " in every part of the United States, and created
a prestige for the establishment which he originated, and which
was exceeded in popularity only by the striking originality of
Colonel Rice himself. As the proprietor of the " One-Horse
Show/' struggling against the opposition of capital, harassed and
annoyed bv persecutions, he enlisted the sympathy of the public
to a wonderful degree, and from that equestrian establishment
in which the equine department was represented by and consoli
dated in one solitary horse, had grown the monster exhibition
which made him world famous. As a trainer of animals, he stood
without a rival. He was the only man who ever succeeded in

PREFACE Vll

subduing the rhinoceros. Those who have witnessed the ex
traordinary feats of the horses, Excelsior and Excelsior, Jr., the
former of which was the identical horse which constituted the
" One-Horse Show/' cannot have failed to appreciate his skill as
a horseman. Still, his great reputation has been gained as a
humorist, a cognomen which he introduced in contradistinction
to that of the ordinary circus clown, and in which capacity he was
acknowledged to stand without an equal. His originality, his
ready wit, and his entire good sense, combined to render his
delineation of that role acceptable to every class of the com
munity.

He had ever a way of doing everything and saying everything
that may be considered idiosyncratic and might be called " Dan
Rice-ish." Ordinary subjects received new interest from the
garb with which he clothed them. No person probably had ever
become a more universal favorite.

His great personal popularity, and the moral force he carried
with him, as the embodiment of everything respectable in the
circle, were the secret of his signal triumphs throughout two
continents.

In this biographical age, when almost every ambitious char
acter imagines that the public has an interest in his antecedents,
Lord Byron's celebrated quotation is brought to mind:

" 'Tis pleasant to see one's name in print,
A book's a book, tho' there's nothing in't."

It was not so in bygone days when only the memoirs of men
or women were published whose fame and remarkable lives were
a certain guarantee to both the public and the publisher. To
the former, that the perusal would well repay the cost and time,
and to the latter that the books would not be left upon his hands
and eventually sold as waste paper. In presenting in this vol
ume, the life of Dan Rice, the biographer feels that she is about
to place before the public a volume of an entirely different de
scription to the dull and uninteresting works alluded to. It will
contain a series of adventures and incidents alternating from
grave to gay; descriptive scenes and thrilling events; the record of
half a century of a remarkable life, in the course of which the sub
ject was brought into contact with many of the national celebri
ties of the day. It will abound in anecdotes, humorous and other
wise; and it will afford a clearer view of the inside mysteries of
show life than any account heretofore published.

As a journalist also, he has figured successfully; his paper,
" The Cosmopolite," of Girard, Pa., having had, and still con
tinues to maintain, a wide circulation throughout the Lake
States.

Vlll PREFACE

In short, the " Memoirs " will be found replete with such a
strange and varied round of adventures, as to supply additional
evidence that " truth is stranger than fiction." A biographical
sketch of Dan Eice's parentage is introduced,, which will contain
interesting and hitherto unpublished incidents in the lives of
Aaron Burr, Madame Jumel, and other historical personages of
a bygone age.

In closing this synoptic analysis of Mr. Eice's professional
career that is so full of phenomenal development, especial pride
is taken in giving to the world the best that can be produced
from the gifted pen of the critic and the established customs
that sway the masses. In weighing the words of cultured men
we are brought within the limit of their understanding, and the
exacting tide of popular approval, or otherwise, is the inevitable
result; therefore, the character delineated by an accurate esti
mate of true worth and actual merit shines forth with bright
effulgence through deeds that have crowned themselves with
more than ordinary lustre and acknowledgment. Without a
peer in his particular sphere in the amusement world, he still
stands as a monarch whose fame is untarnished by the buffetings
of clannish presumers, and whose strength has been tried by time
and its progress. His fortress has been the hearts of the people
and an impenetrable stronghold he found in their unbiased
opinions, which place he still occupies and fondly cherishes with
a name unscarred by design and its adjuncts. The indescribable
traits inherent in his character in earlier life can be traced
through all the later efforts of his maturer years; and in those
characteristics probably lie the secret of the brilliant successes
that have pronounced him the Prince of Jesters and the pride of
the social circle in which he moved. With a strength of resolve
to bravely meet every apparent duty pointed out by the finger of
fate, he promptly responded with his versatile talent and em
phasized it by unselfish contributions in a monetary way, as has
been demonstrated by innumerable expressions of public grati
tude that repaid him a thousand-fold. Without a thought of
holding malice, this impenetrable character has calmed the rage
of his enemies and offered the hand of good-fellowship to his
fallen foes when bitter antagonism waged its war of words in the
press and circus ring; but, through all, his star was in the ascend
ancy, and vindictive accusations were buried in charity by this
old-time knight of the circle. Bright oases these to encounter
in the arduous toils of a busy, public life of over a half a century,
contending with every phase of strife, professional, political, and
social. The world is critical in its judgment of prominent men
whose lives are open to inspection, and these pages invite its in
tellectual perusal; but it is also humane in pronouncing its sen-

PREFACE IX

tences, which cannot but give to its retinue of subjects the un
tarnished name of the Jester Clown, Dan Rice.

Dan Rice, the world-renowned jester, is no longer before the
public as the life and soul of the arena, the presiding spirit whose
original jests, gibes, and witticisms were wont to keep the con
gregated thousands in a roar, but, fortunately, through his cour
tesy, the author of this work has had the privilege of inspecting
a pile of manuscripts and papers sufficient to enable her to pre
sent to the public a volume of the great jester's most pungent
jokes, comic harangues, caustic hits upon men and manners,
lectures, anecdotes, sketches of adventure, original songs and
poetical effusions; wise and witty, serious, satirical, and senti
mental sayings of the sawdust arena of other days. The author
has been induced to issue this work at the earnest request of a
host of Col. Dan Rice's friends and old admirers; at the same
time the young of the present generation will be enabled to com
pare the genius of the motley representatives of the past with the
weak and degenerate wearers of the cap and bells of to-day. Its
perusal, while it will assuredly excite the risibilities of the most
unimpressionable, will be found not lacking in instructive mat
ter. Xo public character has experienced a more checkered life,
and it may be truly said that no one, either belonging to the
legitimate drama, or the tented circle, has acquired the widely-
spread fame or popularity of Colonel Rice. With these few
prefatorial remarks, this literary venture is launched, leaving a
discriminating public to pass upon its merits.

Reminiscences of Dan Rice

CHAPTER I.

DAN RICE'S PARENTAGE — AN EPISODE OF LOVE, AND AN
ELOPEMENT — THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER RUNS
SMOOTH — BIRTH OF THE HERO AND SEPARATION OF HIS
PARENTS — A LEAF IN THE HISTORY OF AARON BURR AND
MADAME JUMEL — THE MATCH-MAKER — MARRIAGE AND
DIVORCE — AN ENGAGEMENT BROKEN THROUGH A BAD SET
OF TEETH — A GRATEFUL AND MUNIFICENT BEQUEST.

are few men living whose lives have been so ad-
__ venturous or characterized by what may be termed " ups
and downs " of life as the hero of these memoirs. While the
placid course of an uneventful life may be, and is, the lot of
many, there are others whose careers are traced by a series of
events, many of which would serve as a sensational chapter of a
novel, while some may be criticised as imaginative and unreal.

At the solicitation of many of the personal friends of Dan
Rice, the biographer has been induced to compile for publication
the reminiscences of a period of his existence, dating from early
boyhood, through the teeming years which have since intervened.

To give the reader a correct insight into the influences which
in a measure controlled his after life, a brief re-view of his par
entage and the events preceding his birth is necessary, and it
will then be understood that the name of Dan Rice is merely a
patronymic that has withstood the tests of intelligent criticism.
His father, Daniel McLaren, was born in the city of New York,
and resided in Mulberry Street, which was at that time one of
the best business and residential sections of the city. His mother
was Elizabeth Crum, the daughter of Richard Crum, a Methodist
preacher, who was born in Haverstraw, N. Y., in the year 1763.
Mr Crum afterward, in early manhood, settled in Ocean Town
ship, in Monmouth County, N. J., and, being married, he became
the father of a numerous progeny, fourteen of whom survived
and reached maturity. Our hero's mother was the tenth child,

2 EEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

being born March 4, 1803, and as she was evidently the favorite
of her father, more than usual pains were taken with her educa
tion, and, contrary to the usages of prevailing customs at that
period, she was indulged, perhaps too much so, to participate in
the enjoyment of many social privileges that belonged to older
maidens.

It was thus at the age of eighteen, she was allowed to attend
several "merry-makings" and dances held at Long Branch, a
short distance from the paternal home, and it was on one of these
occasions that she met young Daniel McLaren.

It was the old, old story of love at first sight, and the friend
ship thus formed became essential to the happiness of both, for
it early terminated in an elopement to New York. Young Mc
Laren, being prompted by entirely pure motives, would not allow
a shadow of a reflection to rest upon the fair name of the maiden
of his choice, so on the return journey the couple stopped at
Heghtstown in New Jersey, where they were married by a Jus
tice of the Peace. This happened in the year 1821, and the
young bride was taken to her husband's home on Mulberry Street,
where, on the 25th of January, in the year 1823, she gave
birth to the subject of these memoirs. Daniel McLaren, being
the only son, was a partner with his father in the grocery business,
but, meanwhile, following the inclinations of his talent, he was
studying law under the famous Aaron Burr, of whom he became
an ardent admirer. During all this time there had been a
vigilant search by Mr. Crum, to locate the runaway bride, which
finally proved successful, when the indignant father immediately
instituted proceedings against McLaren, and by means of a writ
issued by the court, she was forcibly taken from her husband
and returned to her old home at the farm. The marriage was
declared null and void, and a suit was instituted against our
hero's father for seduction. Damages to the amount of $1,000
were awarded, which sum, being paid, was transferred to the
child's mother to be held in trust for the boy. Little Dan was
subsequently in his mother's custody taken to the home of her
father, and, although the grandfather loved the child for his
daughter's sake, his misguided judgment never forgave Daniel
McLaren, and he would not allow his grandson to use his father's
surname, bestowing upon him the surname Bice which belonged
to the maternal side. Thus all intercourse between his parents
ceased. It was an impulsive love match, a rose-tinted dream that
filled two young lives unfolding to the experiences of this world's
cares, and a rude awakening by arbitrary and unnatural condi
tions, that created a sorrowful conclusion.

The parting was final. The mother, now that her marriage
had been pronounced invalid, impelled only by a filial discern-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 3

merit of duty, made reconciliation with the high-strung McLaren
impossible, and so the young husband lived only in her memory.

It has been previously stated that little Dan's father was
equally interested with Daniel McLaren, Sr., in the grocery
business. It was at that time one of the largest establishments
embraced in that line in New York, and its patronage was com
posed of many of the select families, who preferred to have their
articles guaranteed, a fact that savors of probable adulteration
even at that early day. Among those who availed themselves of
securing the best standard articles at the McLaren establishment
was the historic Aaron Burr. It was here he purchased his claret,
imported liquors, tea, etc., the firm being widely celebrated for
their excellent quality of the latter article, the senior partner
having been, in conjunction with John Jacob Astor, one of the
earliest importers of tea in the United States.

Another patron of the establishment was the famous Madame
Jumel, whose name is so inseparably connected with the later life
of Aaron Burr. This was in 1822. Madame Jumel was a woman
of more than ordinary attractions, and her husband, although
considerabty older, was one of the finest specimens of well-pre
served manhood in New York. His death occurred as the result
of an accident by the collision of his vehicle with a carman's dray
at one of the wharves. The carman's horse becoming frightened
and unmanageable, fell from the wharf into the river and was
drowned, and Mr. Jumel was thrown from the light cart he was
driving. The accident was witnessed by a crowd of people, who
loudly expressed their sympathy with the drayman, and Jumel,
who did not at the time realize the extent of the internal injury
he had received, drew from his purse a bill, and, presenting it to
the carman, said to the crowd, " I pity him ten dollars. How
much do you pity him?" The carman by this means realized
an amount that more than covered the value of the horse he had
lost, but Mr. Jumel was destined to succumb to the unfortunate
accident.

He was seventy years of age when he died, while his widow was
but little past the prime of life, and in the full flush of her
womanly charms. Young McLaren had become well acquainted
with Madame Jumel by frequently calling to make collections for
her purchases at the establishment, and at this juncture she
consulted him upon engaging a competent and reliable person to
look after her estate and personal matters.

As previously stated, although equally interested in business
with his father, young McLaren was a law student under the
instruction of Aaron Burr, and although he never became an
active practitioner, he was considered an excellent authority where
difficult legal questions were involved. With an inclination to

4 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

advance the interests of his preceptor, he named Aaron Burr as
eminently the best selection she could make. Madame Jumel, hav
ing heard many unfavorable reports of Mr. Burr's previous ca
reer, made objections to McLaren's recommendations, but he
pleaded so effectually in Burr's behalf that she finally agreed
to consult him,, and the interview resulted in Madame Jumel in
stalling him as her agent and attorney.

At the time of Madame Jumel's first consultation with Mr.
Burr at his office in Eeed Street, he was seventy years of age, but
of most fascinating presence, being straight, active, and agile,
with a perfect Chesterfieldian deportment.

Little Dan's father, who is credited with a penchant for match
making, and who really was as much of an adept in the art as
any diplomatic duenna exploiting the charms of some fair
debutante, was not slow to perceive the favorable impression
made by the elderly Adonis upon the susceptible widow, and
forthwith conceived the idea of consummating a match which he
succeeded in carrying to a successful conclusion. Aaron Burr
had no more steadfast friend than Daniel McLaren, whose sin
gularly devoted zeal continued to the last, but it may be said that
few lived who could exercise a more masterly influence over those
of either sex than Aaron Burr.

All this happened in 1830, the year when the cholera first
visited America, and Madame Jumel, after delegating her busi
ness affairs to Aaron Burr, decided to take a carriage tour in the
interior of the State. During the trip she visited Saratoga
which about that time became celebrated for its waters. Since
his clandestine marriage and the loss of his young bride, Daniel
McLaren, Jr., by successful enterprise and strict attention to
business had become what in those days was considered wealthy.
In the year 1853, he was elected President of the New Jersey,
Lombard & Protection Bank, and subsequently he purchased
a large property at the Saratoga Springs which he assisted in
making famous by a work which he published concerning its
medicinal waters and which went through several editions.

Madame Jumel's visit to Saratoga resulted in her purchase of a
completely furnished house from young McLaren, but she did
not make it a permanent residence, and only visited it occasion
ally. Meanwhile her intimacy with Aaron Burr became more
and more pronounced, and the result was a marriage, kept secret
for a while, but finally being publicly acknowledged.

The subsequent separation of Mr. Burr and Madame Jumel was
caused by a land speculation in Texas and an effort on the part
of Aaron Burr to found a German colony on the property. He
and Daniel McLaren had, in 1830, bought considerable property
in that part of the country, then a dependency of Mexico. Some

REMINISCENCES OF DAN BICE O

time after this marriage, Burr fitted out an expedition, consisting
of Germans of both sexes, for the purpose of settling the land,
but it was not successful, and the money which he had used,
consisting of collections from the Jumel estate, was a total loss.
Madame Jumel-Burr became very indignant, and insisted upon
taking the management of the estate out of his hands. This he
resisted, and a controversy ensued, which created a breach that
even the friendly interposition of the " mutual friend " failed to
heal, and a separation was the result. Notwithstanding this state
of affairs existing between them, when Madame Jumel learned
that Mr. Burr was lying ill, she buried her prejudices, went to his
relief, and had him taken to her own home where she could
minister to his wants by proper attendance. As a result, their
marital differences were healed, but not for long. A violent
rupture followed later, making a final separation inevitable. The
fateful tract of land that created the lifelong difference between
Burr and Madame Jumel, was subsequently purchased by Mr.
McLaren.

The tragic termination of the Burr marriage did not alienate
the friendship existing between Madame Jumel and McLaren,
and she continued to consult him on legal matters. Business
again engendered the tender passion, and Madame Jumel-Burr
was ready to assume a new role under the name of McLaren, and
so become a stepmother to no less a personage than Dan Eice
himself. She was little more than " forty " and exceedingly fair,
and Mr. McLaren admired her beauty and her wit alike. The
obstacle that prevented Dan Eice from having Madame Jumel
for a stepmother is as odd a one as any in his varied career.

Mr. McLaren was a fine specimen of physical manhood, except
in one respect. His teeth were very defective, and Madame Jumel,
as she has always been called in spite of her marriage to Burr,
could not endure an ugly mouth. She agreed to become Mrs.
McLaren on condition that Daniel should have his teeth ex
tracted and replaced by a complete new set. This seems arduous
enough even now, but in those days the dentist was generally a
barber by trade and a dentist for amusement. The ordeal which
Daniel McLaren was thus called to face, before the time of an
aesthetics, was frightful and he protested that marriage on such
conditions cost too much.

But she insisted that she would not have a man with such a
" mouthful of snaggle teeth," and as both were obstinate, the
projected marriage came to naught. People who had watched
the progress of the courtship, said that, however smart McLaren
had proved himself in matchmaking for others, he had most
signally failed in making one for himself. Mr. Eice says that
his father should have married the Madam in spite of his teeth.

6 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Among his many acts of free-handed generosity there was one
which especially is worthy of mention,, inasmuch as it was a
benefaction which brought a ten-fold return. As early as 1820
he gave the command of the schooner " Comet/7 originally a
privateer in the War of 1812, and which he had purchased, to an
impecunious friend, one Captain Brown, who, however, con
tinued to be pursued by bad luck in every venture. McLaren,
nevertheless stuck to him and advanced him several thousand
dollars to help him to a fresh start in business. Captain Brown's
affairs took a turn and he acquired what at that time was con
sidered a princely fortune. He did not forget the generous hand
which had lifted him from the mire of poverty. He was one of
the wealthiest men in Arkansas, and at his death it was found
that his early benefactor was down in his will for $100,000. Col.
U. Brown, for he bore that title at the period of his death, was
one of the most popular men in the State. The hero of that act
of friendship was the father of the famous fighter, Commodore
Brown, of the Confederate navy, whose exploit in running the
Union blockade at the mouth of the Yazoo Elver forms one of
the thrilling incidents of the late War of the Eebellion. The
blockading fleet seemed to have cut off all hope of escape, but
Commodore Brown took it by surprise, dashed boldly through in
the early morning and got away with a badly crippled but still
seaworthy vessel, the ram " Arkansas." After the war the gal
lant tar purchased a cotton plantation in Mississippi just opposite
Helena, Arkv and lived there in delightful retirement until
within a few years. There, too, Mr. Eice, the prince of clowns,
has often been entertained by his friend and admirer of his
father.

In the latter part of his life Dan Eice's father succeeded
to the sole grocery business in Pine Street, New York. One
hundred thousand dollars in uncollectable debts remained on his
books when he died, and their perusal offers the student of human
nature a curious satire on the morals of what we term society
even that long ago. McLaren's generosity was not confined to
the extension of credit to hungry and thirsty gentility. In his
papers there is a hotel bill which he paid at Saratoga for the
lovely and unfortunate wife of that Blennerhassett who was
tempted to his destruction by his friend Aaron Burr. It read as
follows: SARATOGA SPRINGS, August 14, 1832.

MRS. SARAH BLENNERHASSETT, TO LEWIS PUTNAM, DR.
To Board and Entertainment for Mrs. B., serv't and child,

being 2 weeks $13

Eec'd Thirteen dollars from D. McLaren this Aug't 14, in full

LEWIS PUTNAM.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 7

This lady was the wife of the celebrated Harman Blenner-
hassett, who was a victim of Burr's conspiracy. He was born in
Hampshire, England, but possessed of large Irish estates, which
he sold for $100,000 and came to America in 1797, where he pur
chased an island of 170 acres on the Ohio Kiver, a short distance
below Parkersburg, Va. Upon this island he built a fine man
sion, with all the embellishments which wealth and taste could
command. His home became widely known for its elegance and
the culture that distinguished its inmates, and among the visitors
to this beautiful retreat was Aaron Burr, who became acquainted
there in 1805. He soon enlisted his host in his Mexican schemes
in the belief that the country was likely to be involved in a war
with Spain, and a fortune might easily be made by enterprise.
Burr was to be emperor and Blennerhasset a duke and ambas
sador to England. In this way Blennerhasset was induced to
invest largely in boats, provisions, arms, and ammunition. He
left his home and family and went to Kentucky, where being
warned of Burr's real designs; he returned to the island greatly
disheartened. However, through Burr's solicitations, backed by
his wife's influence, who had now enlisted in the undertaking
with her whole soul, he yielded to the overture of the project.

A proclamation against the scheme having been published
by President Jefferson, Blennerhassett, who was in hourly expec
tation of being arrested, escaped from the island and, managing
to elude pursuit, joined Burr's flotilla at the mouth of the Cum
berland Kiver. He was afterward arrested and sent to Rich
mond for trial in 1807, but the case against Burr having resulted
in acquittal, the other conspirators were discharged.

In the meantime his island had been seized by creditors and
everything upon it that could be converted into money was sold
at a ruinous sacrifice. The beautiful grounds were used for the
culture of hemp, the mansion being converted into a storehouse
for the crops. In 1811 he endeavored to recover from Governor
Alston, Burr's son-in-law, $22,500, a balance of some $50,000
for which he alleged Alston was responsible. He afterward
bought 1,000 acres of land near Port Gibson, Miss., for a cotton
plantation, on which ground Dan Rice has many a time since
erected his show tent. But the War of 1812 prostrated all com
mercial enterprises. Becoming continually poorer, in 1819 he
removed his family to Montreal, where for a time he practiced
law. He subsequently sailed for Ireland in 1822 to prosecute
a reversionary interest still existing there, and in this he failed.
He next endeavored to procure employment from Portugal and
from the United States of Colombia. But during the latter years
of his life he was supported by his maiden sister who, at her
death, bequeathed her property to his wife and children.

8 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Mine. Blennerhassett published two volumes of poetry — in
1822, " The Deserted Isle " and in 1824 " The Widow of the
Eock." Henry Clay presented to Congress her petition for re
imbursement for her losses by the United States, but she died
before it could be acted on, in the care of the Sisters of Charity
in New York City. Dan Eiee's father paid for the education of
one of her sons, the lawyer, afterward a somewhat noted prac
titioner, who became a citizen of St. Louis, where Dan Eice has
often been his client. Mrs. Blennerhassett was a lovely and
virtuous woman, who won the respect and admiration of all who
knew her.

In taking a backward glance at the career of Aaron Burr, it is a
pathetic appeal to the humanizing instincts that mark the gener
ous thought of our progressive age. With his proud spirit broken
by the weight of repeated failures; when his foes assailed him in
the decline of his power and his friends had not the courage to
uplift him in his helplessness, he turned in sorrow and humilia
tion from the social world and vanished into retirement, appeal
ing to his daughter, Mrs. Alston, of South Carolina, to come to
him and thus, by her presence, help him to regain a renewed
hold on life. This request from her father touched the sensitive
nature of Mrs. Alston, and as her failing health required a change
of climate, she decided to join him on Staten Island and share
his loneliness. All the world knows the sad sequel, and can ten
der its generous sympathy, even at this late day, for the anguish
of one of our most conspicuous lights of the historical past.

When the news finally reached Aaron Burr in New York, that
his daughter, Theodosia, had lost her life on the North Carolina
coast by the wrecking of the pilot boat " Patriot," on which she
had taken passage in order to reach her father at the earliest
possible moment, his strong spirit was crushed by his terrible
loss and her sad misfortune. In the midst of these trials, when
the shadows were gathering fast around his life, and painful
memories thrust their realities before him for future retrospect,
he sent for his trusted and valued friend, Daniel McLaren, know
ing full well that his sympathies were genuine and his friendship
unalloyed. Mr. Eice informs us that Burr entrusted to his
father the management of a private arrangement to investigate
the wrecking of the " Patriot," for floating rumors aroused a sus
picion that the vessel might probably have fallen into the hands
of the land pirates who infested the Carolina coast and those of
other States where the sand-bars and other formations made it
dangerous for shipping in those times when the government
signals were sparsely scattered along the water line. The land
pirates, taking advantage of that fact, continued to follow their
unholy calling by placing decoy signals, luring the vessels out

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 9

of safe paths in tempestuous weather and causing them to strand
on the bars and shoals; when, under the pretense of giving aid to
the unfortunate crew and passengers in acts of mercy., they would
board the stranded wreck, secure the valuables, and inhumanly
compel the people to " walk the plank."

Many a life was lost under such circumstances, and many dark
deeds and weird scenes were enacted, whose haunting memories
still live in the shadowed history of those early days. Being
satisfied that such was the fact in regard to the unfortunate
" Patriot/' upon which the daughter of Aaron Burr took passage,
Daniel McLaren, as previously intimated, privately planned and
financially supported the investigation that successfully proved
beyond a doubt the truth of the rumors that reported the fatality
of the pilot boat "Patriot" on the first day of January, 1813.
At that period there was a shrewd, prominent public character
in New York, by the name of Hayes, and Mr. Rice informs us
that, judging from his father's description and his own personal
boyhood knowledge of the man, he possessed all the intriguing
qualities of a Byrnes and the penetrating cleverness of the
Pinkertons of to-day, in the subtle points of the police and de
tective service. This man, possessing all these natural capacities,
was well fortified for the mission to unravel the tangled ends of
the mystery surrounding the death of Aaron Burr's beautiful
daughter.

So Daniel McLaren, interesting himself in the cause of suffer
ing humanity, secured this man's confidence and furnished him
with funds to promote the object, and satisfy his old friend and
previous instructor as to the real fate of his cherished child.
Therefore, nearly six months after the wrecking of the " Patriot/'
Mr. Hayes started from New York, furnished with ample means,
disguises, etc., and with such instructions as would assist him
in his mission of mercy, and arrived in Norfolk, Va., on the first
day of June. In due time he began his investigations. Dis
guising himself as a sailor, he visited their lodging-houses and
resorts, and by affecting the seaman's swagger, slang, etc., he
soon became quite popular among the seafaring fraternity, and
won, in time, their confidence. In making inroads upon their
prejudices by offering occasional " grogs " whenever and wher
ever they met, he gained an insight into the true character of the
different individuals; and, by insinuating his familiarities, he
gradually began to weave his web around the victims. After
succeeding, by long, persistent efforts, in finding among his boon
companions the wreckers of the " Patriot," he sought their so
ciety and gained their confidence to such a degree that they re
vealed their places of rendezvous and gave to him the secrets of
the wrecking system. The vantage ground of the " bankers "

10 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

was on the long sand-bars that fence the coast outside of Curri-
tuck, Albemarle, and Pamlico Sound, and they explained for his
benefit the " bankers' " method, and related, among other inci
dents, the story of the wreck of the " Patriot," and of their im
plication in the death of the crew and passengers, among whom
was a beautiful lady. Mr. Hayes was now confident that he had
sufficient evidence to justify his opinion that he had the
assassins within his grasp, so he hastened the proceedings. He
had the three men placed under arrest, and, at the hearing before
the magistrate, they made a confession and gave to the world
the solved mystery of the " Patriot." The main incidents at
the trial were as follows:

A decoy signal had lured the fated " Patriot " on a sand-bank
off Kitty Hawk and Nags' Head, and the " bankers," after board
ing the vessel, rifled the crew and passengers of money, jewels,
and other valuables. Every individual was either killed in hand-
to-hand combat or forced to " walk the plank."

To the great surprise of the pirates, the beautiful lady, who
was none other than Theodosia, the daughter of Aaron Burr,
sprang forward of her own accord, and, rushing along the cruel
pathway, threw her arms imploringly to heaven as she sank be
neath the waves. And the sweet spirit of Theodosia Burr was
soon beyond the reach of such painfully cruel experiences in the
calm of a merciful forgetfulness. Before she made the fatal
plunge, the leader of the pirates, perhaps imbued at that moment
by a faint gleam of conscience, shouted his orders to " save the
lady." But they came too late to prevent the tragedy. Thus
perished one of the most beautiful, accomplished, and perfect
women of those days of chivalry. Besides being the daughter of
a man whose historic career had made him famous as a true friend
to those who had tested his friendship, and an enemy to be feared
when justice to himself demanded it, this superior woman was
also the gifted wife of Governor Alston, of South Carolina, who
worshipped her memory as the fleeting years brought him nearer
to the pure retreat of her spirit's home. Thus, through the com
bined efforts of Daniel McLaren and Mr. Hayes, together with
the full approval of Aaron Burr, the death of that lovely woman,
Theodosia Burr- Alston was avenged, and the three arrested men,
Abner Smith, Joseph Gale, and George Eoebeck, the self-ac
cused criminals, paid the penalty with their lives, being hanged
on June 28, 1813.

The only hope that served to brighten the declining years of
Aaron Burr had vanished with his daughter's life, and he never
ceased to mourn her loss. Being in ill-health at the time, almost
ruined socially and financially, and living in anticipation of the
expected coming of his daughter, who had previously written to

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 11

him that she would take passage on the " Patriot " in coming to
New York, as Captain Carter was her husband's friend, and she
would feel safe under his supervision in the hazardous journey
before her, he felt that her presence would, in a measure, serve
to harmonize conflicting opinion and cause a smoother flow as he
drifted down with advancing years. But the realization never
came, and instead, the sobbing sea sent forth a dirge that moaned
the passing of his daughter's life.

Mr. Eice tells us that his father's authority in guarding the
memory of this man is unbiased in its authenticity, notwithstand
ing the fact that the world has been prejudiced and taught to
think differently. Mr. McLaren has said that " those who
were closely associated with Aaron Burr and were intimately
acquainted with the inside character of his private life never
failed to find anything but grand incentives engendered in his
great mind, that have ever been misinterpreted, because of
a universal failure to approach his nature correctly, and t give
honor to whom honor is due/ The proof of which is evident
in the fact that his natural pride never indulged in controversies
in defence of himself."

CHAPTEK II.

THE MAN AH AN ROMANCE — THE MOTHER^ REMARRIAGE — LITTLE
DAN'S BOYHOOD DAYS IN NEW YORK — HE LEARNS TO
RIDE AT FIVE, AND BECOMES A SUCCESSFUL QUARTER-
HOUSE JOCKEY — TAKEN BY MANAHAN TO PHILADELPHIA
AND TRENTON TO RIDE, WITHOUT HIS MOTHER'S KNOWL
EDGE — SERVING MILK IN A MINIATURE CART — THE TWO
DUFFY BROTHERS — DAN?S INDEPENDENT NATURE — HIS
ADVENTURES — PETER COOPER HIS LIFELONG FRIEND.

WHEN little Dan Rice had spent two years on the farm in
New Jersey, where he acquired his love of fresh air and
nature, his mother, who had resumed her maiden name since
her separation from his father, went to New York on a visit to
her sister, Mrs. Hugh Reed, who lived at the corner of Centre and
Franklin Streets, near where the Tombs now stands. The milk
Baby Dan drank, while on this visit, came from Manahan & Mills,
who managed one of the largest dairies in the city, and it was
served each morning by Mr. Manahan himself. In those days
Manahan was considered a handsome man of pleasing address,
and Miss Crum was young and gifted in like manner; therefore
it is not strange that Cupid's darts pierced both hearts and

12 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

created a courtship, for such it proved to be, that was carried on
like that of the reapers and milkmaids in the old song, " In the
early morn."

The young mother had, during the early part of their acquaint
ance, confided to him the story of her life and unpropitious mar
riage, and as she was then beyond the age of parental interfer
ence, she accepted his proposal, and after six months they were
married at the home of her sister, Mrs. Eeed. As the mother had
command of the one thousand dollars received from her former
husband, at which time she assumed the position of trustee of
her boy, she very unwisely allowed a portion of this sum to be
invested in purchasing the dairy interest of Mills, Manahan's
partner, and also in still further increasing the capacity of the
establishment. The newly wedded pair had commenced house
keeping on Mulberry Street, at a point between Spring and
Prince Streets, and were seemingly devoted to each other; and in
consequence everything opened propitiously for a happy future.

Contrary to the usual custom under similar circumstances,
little Dan was an especial favorite with his stepfather, who ever
treated him with parental affection, so that his early life was
nurtured in love and tenderness.

Through all the peculiar phases of his varied life, Mr. Rice
has never forgotten the first accident which befell him in those
early days, and it was, indeed, of such a character as to leave a
lasting impression through life. Shortly after Manahan's mar
riage, he one day carried little Dan to the dairy stable, in which
there was a great commotion amongst the cattle, and he found
that a fractious cow had broken loose. Before unfastening the
stable door, with a view of securing the unruly animal, Manahan
stood the boy upon a plank lying across a huge square box of
stable earth. It required several minutes to restore order in the
stable, but when he returned for Dan he was startled to find that
he was no longer in sight. He rushed to the box where the only
evidence of the boy's existence was seen in the shape of a small
pair of red shoes projecting from the surface. He had toppled
over headforemost into the vat, and when drawn out was in
sensible. Had he remained a few seconds longer, this history
would never have been written. His first visit to a stable re
sulted unfavorably in a disgusting experience, but did not re
strain him from making repeated trips to where the cattle were
stabled, and as time advanced, his childish labor performed its
share in the demands of increasing cares. He was accustomed
to say in after years that he " matured so early because he had
been manured so early." the clown's initiative of his premature
entrance into the world's cares and its strifes. And a friend has
also remarked of Mr. Rice, when drawing a comparison, that " A

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 13

jewel found in an ofl'al pile loses none of its worth, but sparkles
with increased brilliancy when worn upon the bosom of virtue."

Instruction, also, at an early age was not lacking to open to
the precocious mind of little Dan liice the rudiments of theories
that were of such vital importance in his early advent into prac
tical experiences. When he was four years of age he was sent to
school regularly; therefore the foundation was laid for the re-
suits that followed in succession in after years.

The Manahan dairy had in the meantime nourished and the
town had grown in such close proximity to it, that a sale was
consummated by Dan's parents and the proceeds were invested
in Thirteenth Street near Sixth Avenue. Success again followed
the Manahan dairy and it prospered, but the city still continued
to grow, and finally encroached upon it once more, when a second
sale was made, and Manahan established his business in a locality
now occupied by Twenty-sixth Street and Sixth Avenue, but
which was at that time a remote spot just opposite the Varian
Farm. A new era now opened in the life of the little lad, and it
was to his stepfather's love for horses that Dan owed the be
ginning of his career on the turf. Manahan taught him to ride
when he was five years old, and he became an expert quarter-
horse rider by the time he reached the age of seven. His step
father had a passion for quarter-racing, which was then a prime
sport with a large portion of the inhabitants of Manhattan Island,
as such pastimes invariably are in such primitive neighborhoods.
In these quarter-mile races Dan was generally successful.

Manahan was the owner of a blooded mare named Black Maria,
which he had matched for a half-mile dash against an equally
celebrated mare belonging to a man named Ludlow. The race
was arranged to come off at Hoboken upon the New Jersey side
of the North Eiver, and the excuse that Manahan made for tak
ing Dan away from his mother was that he wanted him to assist
in driving home a milch cow. While the party waited at the
ferry landing for the boat, the boy, with his natural curiosity ever
on the alert, was attracted by the sight of the shipping, and
stepping around a pile of cordwood to obtain a better view,
grasped a projecting stick which happened to be loose and was
instantly precipitated into the water, which, as the weather was
cold, was thinly covered with ice. The child sank beneath the
surface, but a sailor from a sloop lying at anchor near by had
witnessed the accident, plunged in, securing the boy as he rose,
and saved him from drowning. Manahan was naturally much
alarmed and offered the man ten dollars for risking his life to
save that of the lad, but the sailor refused to receive it, remarking
" it would be a mean business for a man to make a charge for sav
ing a fellow-creature from drowning." The small fellow-crea-

14: KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

ture had, in the meantime, met with a narrow escape, and after
he had been resuscitated was put to bed in the Bear Tavern, situ
ated on the site of the well-known Everett's Hotel in Barclay
and Vesey Streets. Every precaution was taken to prevent the
development of unpleasant results that might arise from his ac
cidental plunge, and by the time his clothing was dried he was
again in a condition to meet the requirements of the racing pro
gram, and as an example of the elastic frame and physical en
durance of young Kice, it may be stated that within two hours
after the immersion he was on his way to Hoboken, and that he
came off the victor in a well-contested race. These scenes oc
curred in 1828, and it may here be mentioned that little Dan
heard the declaration of the noble sailor who saved his life, and
he treasured it deep in his heart, for from that day he evinced
a lively interest in whatever concerned the welfare and advance
ment of seafaring men. In after life, his contributions to the
building of Seamen's Bethels and donations to Seamen's Homes
were fruitful testimony of the warm feeling he cherished in their
behalf, nor has any seaman in distress ever appealed to him for
assistance without having cause to hold Dan Rice in grateful
remembrance. The assertion can be sustained that sturdy little
Dan actually rode quarter-races for his stepfather when he was so
small that it was found necessary to insure safety by tying him
on the horse, a fact that appeals as a protest against Manahan
initiating infancy into the reckless sports of the racing.

Old New York residents may remember the old yellow tavern
that stood on a road that represents the present Sixth Avenue,
the space between the tavern and Twenty-first Street being ex
actly a quarter of a mile. This was the track upon which these
quarter-races were run, and many an audience composed of the
sporting fraternity cheered the jockey in embryo on these occa
sions, and those nearest to him by natural ties little dreamed that
in the early future he would begin his life's career by an opening
on the racecourse. Although Dan was so young and small, yet
he was remarkably strong and athletic, and hence was soon in
demand as a rider. He was so proficient in the exercises that
the prominent sporting character, Jim Kelly, of Philadelphia,
who owned a celebrated horse named Snowball, induced Manahan
to take Dan to that city to ride him a thousand-yard race. Snow
ball was, without doubt, the fastest horse of his time, and it is
questionable if his superior exists at this day in point of speed.
He was matched against General Wilkinson's horse, Buck. It
may be here mentioned that General Wilkinson is the officer cred
ited by common report in those days with having given informa
tion to the government concerning the expedition of Aaron
Burr, although he was in Mr. Burr's employ. Snowball

KICK IN COSTUME OF Silt WILLIAM HAKCOUKT

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 15

was a bad one to get off from the score. He had a habit of rear
ing that would at times throw him off his balance and he would
fail over backwards, and upon many occasions caused serious
injury to the rider. After several efforts in this event they got
a send-off, and were neck and neck, when about half-way up the
track Buck bolted towards the cemetery, and first swerving from
the course, he made a sudden stop at the stone wall. The boy
who rode him was thrown over the wall, and his head striking
full upon a tombstone, the skull was fractured and he was taken
up dead.

Dan was next taken to Trenton to ride at the Fall Meeting,
where he was engaged by the owner to exercise the ill-natured
Buck who had caused so fatal a termination to the race at Phila
delphia. Young as he was and inheriting a love for animals that
had in it no trace of fear, Dan felt sure he could cure the horse
of bolting and was willing to ride. Buck was matched against
a mare named " Big Larry's Mare," her owner being Big Larry,
a member of the sporting fraternity who lived in Brooklyn and
tipped the scales at three hundred pounds. There was a large
attendance and considerable betting. It was an even race until
they came to the homestretch, where there was a fence on each
side of the track, and at this point Buck made an attempt to bolt.
He had previously had some experience of Dan's discipline with
the butt of the whip, and quick as thought it was brought down
with a heavy blow on his nose. This proved to be an effectual
persuader, for there was no other attempt at bolting, and Dan
brought him home a winner by half a length. Manahan was
highly elated over the success of little Dan as a race rider and in
tended to take him again to Trenton to attend the regular fall
meeting of the Jockey Club, and in the interval returned home.
He had won considerable money during the trip to Philadelphia
and Trenton, to which was added that which Dan had earned by
riding. The prospective attendance at the meeting of the Jockey
Club came, to naught, and Dan remained home the whole of that
winter. Child as he was, he milked four cows every morning
before daylight, afterwards driving a milk-cart, for Manahan
had a special one of small size made for him to deliver milk to
a certain round of customers. Thus he was also early initiated
in a business capacity, and it will be observed that the home life
of the little man was tilled with all the novelty and endless variety
of tasks that are comprised in a busy home. His mother, not
withstanding her failing health, regularly attended the church
service on Sunday, at which times little Dan's presence was also
indispensable; and besides, he was required to attend the Sabbath-
school, the impressions of which were lasting, for it brought into
action all the eloquence and moral suasion that his mother could

16 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

command to prove to him that a duty neglected is something
eternally lost.

In the spring., at his mother's request, he was taken from the
charge of the milk route and sent to a school located in what
is now the Seventh Avenue near Twenty-first Street, New York
City. With the spirit for mischief reigning uppermost in his
boyish nature, it seemed almost impossible to interest him in
school tasks, and, as he was very apt, he intuitively caught, at a
glance, that which would prove hard work to others of his little
companions. The restless promptings of his active temperament
often led him into committing heedless offences, and, when the
summer came, school life was a secondary affair in his opinion,
and the balmy air offered its allurements in numerous tempta
tions that often caused him to play the truant and led him to the
riverside. Dan and his half-brother, William, went frequently
with other boys to the North Eiver to watch the swimmers; and
among these truants there would invariably be found two
brothers named Peter and Barney Duffy. As little Dan Rice's
friendships were warm and true, he formed a great liking for
these two brothers, and they claimed a large share of his boyish
patronage. Upon one occasion, while watching the pastimes of
the swimmers, they stood upon an uncertain raft on the water,
and Dan, in his natural forgetfulness of all else except the fun,
unfortunately fell in through an airhole, and would certainly
have been drowned if it had not been for the presence of mind in
that great-hearted lad, Peter Duffy, who slipped down through
the hole and with a great effort caught Dan as he was rising, but
not before he had floated under the logs. It was an act of mercy
that bound more closely the friendship of the two boys; and, re
gardless of the distance between them in after years, and the
difference in their careers, that one event was never bridged
over by forgetfulness. Peter was somewhat of a pugilist when
a boy, and gave Dan his first instructions in boxing, and, whether
to his credit or not, Dan proved an apt pupil, and found many
opportunities in his after life in which to bring young Duffy's
theory into practice, to which many a previous antagonist can
testify, even at this late day. Dan's gratitude to Peter Duffy was
evinced in later years in an extraordinary way.

The next event that occurred in little Dan's life was his
entrance to the Kellogg Seminary that stood at Prince Street and
Broadway, and to which he was driven every morning by one of
his father's employees, who also returned for him in the evening.
This state of affairs would have proved of incalculable benefit to
the lad had he been left to the entire management of his devoted
mother, but Mr. Manahan's great love for sport was the handi
capping hindrance to his improvement at the Seminary, for on

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE IT

Saturdays he would create some business excuse, and take little
Dan to some prearranged rendezvous to ride quarter-races.

Tucker's Lane,, near Harlem, had now superseded the old Yellow
Tavern for those quarter stretches, and this place was the scene
of the boy's next advent in the racing world. The excitement
attending these races soon had a tendency to give him a distaste
for school and filled his young mind with ideas that made him
restless when under restraint, and as a result, on one occasion,
to gain his entire freedom, he ran off with Peter Duffy and re
mained away two days and nights. The two boys were afraid to
return home when they awakened to the serious strait into which
the misdemeanor had led them; so, to preserve their independ
ence, they obtained situations in Peter Cooper's glue factory.
While there, they were as full of mischief as it is possible for two
such exuberant spirits to be, and indulged in all sorts of pranks
in consequence. Upon one occasion, one little fellow thought
lessly dared the other to follow him to the extreme edge of a roof
of the factory, and Mr. Cooper at that moment happened on the
scene and, from beneath apprehending the danger, commanded
them to stop. He ordered an employee to place a ladder against
the eaves and bring the boys down, after which he boxed their
ears as a form of mild rebuke, and having previously found out
who they were, sent them directly to their homes under escort.
Little Dan received a severe chastisement at the hands of his step
father, but the spirit of the lad was not broken nor even sub
dued, and he resented the indignity by again running away.
This time he repaired to the home of his aunt, Mrs. Hugh Reed,
who lived in Centre Street opposite the Collect. Being a great
favorite of hers, he was sure of a warm sympathy in his behalf,
which she was not slow in rendering; so Dan felt encouraged
to resort once more to his native independence, and his cousin
Hugh procured for him a situation in Lorillard's tobacco factory,
where he expected to be initiated in a new field of action. But
he was not destined to remain long in his new surroundings, for
his stepfather, having learned of his whereabouts, went to the
establishment, and, adopting a process radically different from
the previous policy he had employed, persuaded the little lad to
return home with him, and as a panacea to cover the results of
his former harshness, offered him a handful of silver coins. The
compromise being satisfactory, the boy returned to his home and
commenced life again under the old regime, again attending the
school, and upon Saturdays, as in previous times, being taken
by his stepfather to ride the quarter-races.

It is worthy of mention here that Mr. Manahan never after
ward resorted to harsh severity with his stepson; for experience
had taught him that the high-spirited lad inherited a nature that
2

18 EEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

would not bear it. Living as he did, in an atmosphere where
impending shadows seemed ever intruding, although nurtured
with the fondest care his gentle mother could bestow, he, with
the quick perception of childhood, intuitively felt that something
was going wrong as her health gradually failed, and her increasing
efforts in his behalf filled the little man's heart with an awe that
only his matured mind, in later years, could interpret.

It has ever been characteristic of Mr. Rice to remember the
friends of his early days, and his benevolent spirit can be traced
in many circumstances that bear evidence of this manly attribute,
that caused many a heart to take on new courage when his be
hests have been extended ungrudgingly and with wide-open hand.

In the palmy days of affluence, during the height of his pro
fessional career, one little incident, out of scores of others of
greater moment, may be mentioned here. Mr. Rice had ever
been grateful to Peter Duffy for his kindness to him in his early
days, and, having a strong desire to remunerate his old friend
with something more substantial than words, he had a deed
drawn in Duffy's name for a handsome farm of two hundred acres
near Mr. Rice's old home in Girard, Pa., fully equipped with
stock and appurtenances, and presented the deed to him per
sonally. As Mr. Duffy had always been a proverbial city man,
his ideas of life at farming were somewhat crude. He felt that
he could not honorably accept that which he was entirely un
fitted for, so with tears in his honest eyes as he looked in Mr.
Rice's face, he remarked, " Why, Lord bless you, Dan, Fd starve
to death on a farm! "

Late in the fall and winter of 1857-58 when Mr. Rice had his
great show at Niblo's Garden, he visited Mr. Cooper at his lovely
home on Lexington Avenue, and when he made known to that
gentleman who he was, Mr. Cooper remarked, " Are you the
famous clown jester, Dan Rice, that I read so much about in the
papers? " To which Mr. Rice replied, that he represented that
personage. In the course of conversation Mr. Rice related to Mr.
Cooper the subject of his boyish pranks at the glue factory and
mentioned the practical reprimand he received from his hand,
and added, " The impress of your hand on my ears, Mr. Cooper,
I have never forgotten, and I think such impressions made at the
right time often follow a boy through life." To which he made
a laughing reply that they often did, and asked what had be
come of the other boy. Mr. Rice informed him that Peter Duffy
was now a respected citizen and struggling manfully with the
stream of human adventure. Mr. Cooper's retentive memory
held many reminiscences of those earlier years, which were as
vivid as when they first occurred.

He had a fondness for horses and trained animals and advo-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 19

cated athletic sports, so Mr. Rice invited him to bring his family
to Xiblo's that evening and see the exhibition, which he did, and
expressed himself as highly pleased with every phase of the per
formance. During Mr. Cooper's presidential campaign in 1876,
Mr. Rice being a great admirer of the distinguished candidate,
distributed over three hundred thousand circulars favoring Mr.
Cooper's election as he travelled with the great show through
the different States.

In April, 1883, when Mr. Rice was in New York, he was again
the guest of Mr. Cooper, and accepted an invitation to accompany
him to the Cooper Union, where he was to deliver an address
that evening. The weather was decidedly unpropitious, and,
Mr. Cooper, being very infirm, gladly availed himself of Mr.
Rice's assistance, and with his help ascended the steps and
reached the auditorium, taking Mr. Rice with him on the plat
form. The chairman of the evening, who introduced Mr. Cooper,
in the course of his remarks paid a fine tribute to the many
philanthropic acts of that gentleman, who had done so much
towards placing advantages within the reach of the people who
had aspiring minds, and especially in the erection of the grand
building in which they were assembled. " It is a home," he said,
" in which growing minds can develop and grapple with the
difficult problems of theory and learn how to apply them prac
tically in the requirements of every-day life. And the Cooper-
Union will ever be a monument to the philanthropic donor whose
honored name it bears." Mr. Cooper rose slowly to address that
vast concourse of people, and in his opening remarks said that,
while he had been enabled to do much toward the advancement of
the deserving, he very much regretted that he had not been able
to do more. That which he had been instrumental in doing had
been confined chiefly to local objects; but he took great pleasure
in introducing to that vast assemblage a distinguished gentleman,
the famous clown and jester, Mr. Dan Rice, whose philanthropic
•acts were universally scattered broadcast throughout the land,
and his last achievement that he had read of commended itself
to all loyal, loving people — that of erecting, at his own personal
expense, in Girard, Pa., a splendid monument, commemorating
the deeds of the heroic dead who sacrificed their lives in the War
of the Rebellion. At Mr. Cooper's mention of the monument
the audience gave an enthusiastic and prolonged applause, to
which Mr. Rice responded by rising and gracefully bowing his
acknowledgment of their appreciation of his efforts. Mr. Cooper
then continued his remarks; but, in a short time, begged the
audience to excuse him as he was not feeling well. He repaired
at once to his home, accompanied by Mr. Rice, his indisposition
increasing meanwhile, and he partook of a hot beverage to coun-

20 EEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

teract the chill superinduced by exposure to the damp and frosty
night air. Mr. Kice bade him good-night and went to his hotel,
feeling, with the rest of his friends, that Mr. Cooper would in a
short time be restored to his usual good health, but in a few days
was surprised and pained to read the obituary in a morning
paper. Thus another grand life passed to his reward, garnered
into the progressive state unseen by mortal eyes.

CHAPTER III.

A MEMORABLE NIGHT AT THE

DOMESTIC TROUBLES — HIS M

AHAN'S REMORSE — YOUNG DAN LEAVES HOME AND BEGINS

LIFE ON HIS OWN RESPONSIBILITY — FROM SCHOOL TO

SADDLE — HIS SUCCESS IN THE RACING WORLD — NOTES ON

THE CLOWN AND THE CLERGYMAN — DANIEL McLAREN^S

BEREAVEMENT.

WHILE this state of affairs was pending, Mr. Manahan had
began to show a disposition to neglect his family and to
frequently absent himself from them at night; and Dan, taking
advantage of the fact, would steal away from his home in com
pany with young Duffy, and together they would wander down
town, bent on seeking amusement. They frequently went to the
Bowery Theatre and caught the passion for the play. On one
occasion a ghostly performance was being enacted, in which there
was a scene representing a graveyard with apparitions of demons,
etc., and Mr. Charles Parsons, one of the greatest tragedians of
that day, acted the leading part. It created a marked sensation
in the audience and the younger element especially were pro
foundly impressed. Our two young heroes being numbered with
the latter, it is to be inferred that they also were afflicted with the
contagion.

It was near midnight when the play ended, and Dan and
young Duffy started immediately for their homes. They parted
in Thirteenth Street, where Peter lived, and our little man
pursued his way home alone with his mind wrought to a high
state of excitement by what he had experienced. He sturdily
strode along rapidly, ruminating on the gruesome incidents of the
evening, when suddenly there started up across his path a large
black dog, and, to his exaggerated vision, it was, indeed, the
largest he had ever seen. It was a moment of great terror to the
boy, the lateness of the hour dawned upon him, and, with his

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 21

nervous temperament strained to the utmost, he imagined that it
was the evil one himself that had come to frighten him out of
existence. As a natural consequence., the supreme moment came
when the great black creature bounded away, and then the terri
fied lad found safety in flight. No foot race on record was ever
marked in better time than he accomplished, as he almost flew
over the public thoroughfare to his home on Twenty-sixth Street
and Sixth Avenue. No thought of the midnight marauder that
might enter the house and molest the other inmates ever entered
his head as he rushed in, leaving the door wide open behind him,
and he seemed to be imbued with but one impression — that " self-
preservation is the first law of nature," and he was satisfied that
he had found it when he jumped into bed without undressing
and buried his head beneath the covers. Many years elapsed be
fore he entered another theatre, for circumstances were forming
a path in which he little dreamed his feet would wander; but the
memory of that night was never obliterated, although the frosts
of time have now whitened the head of our hero.

In the meantime Dan still continued his course of studies at
the Seminary, where the preceptor had received special instruc
tions to improve his talents as rapidly as his capacity would allow,
without regard to monetary consideration, therefore every effort
was put forth to gain that end. But still the evil genius pursued
him in the form of the races; and after witnessing the contests
on the Union Course, to which his stepfather took him on one
occasion, his sole ambition, regardless of all opposition to the
contrary, was to become a great rider. It was only a step from
the school to the saddle. The course Mr. Manahan pursued with
the little stepson was not approved by the boy's mother, whose
ideas were at variance in regard to Mr. Manahan's apparent in
difference to the lad's moral well-being when he was out of the
influence of her presence; whilst Manahan, in his mania for the
excitement of the sports of the turf, took especial pains to invent
misleading excuses to keep from her the knowledge of his en
couragement of the youngster's natural bent, and little Dan him
self with his acute perception was also cultivating an ingenious
faculty in the same direction.

Mr. Manahan was a man of fine presence, Dame Nature having
bestowed upon him some of her choicest gifts in that direction;
but it requires inherited attributes of an elevated standard to
give character and strength to mental adornment, which he failed
to discover, being trammelled by a spirit of inconsistency, albeit
a liberal man in his views. The exacting Methodism of his wife
annoyed him, his connection with turfmen and the sporting
fraternity did not tend to strengthen his moral nature; and soon
the winecup and its inferred associate evils made him oblivious

22 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

of his duties as a husband and father. He was one of a coterie
of victims led in fetters by that fille de joie, Helen Jewett, whose
subtle charms caused many a grief in homes that were supremely
happy before her advent. She was a Boston girl of rare beauty,
and possessed all the accomplishments and cultivated arts that
appeal to man's susceptibility, and, in many instances, causes his
downfall. The real name of this woman was Mary Rogers and
her wild race in life ended on April 10, 1836, when she fell by the
hand of an assassin, who was one of her paramours, named Rob
inson. The murder created a great sensation, especially among
those who had been inveigled by the subtlety of her snares, and
they had reaped a wretched harvest while her memory sank into
forgetfulness. Mr. Manahan, prior to his acquaintance with
Robinson, had become infatuated with this woman, and seem
ingly made no effort to conceal his liaison from his wife. As the
husband became more estranged, his conduct to his wife and
family assumed a more unnatural bearing, until entreaty and re
proaches alike were hopelessly unavailing. But the end was fast
approaching when the mother's heart would forever cast aside
the painful memories of her short but eventful life, and enter the
new existence where time makes all things right and where for
giveness is indeed unalloyed. It should be borne in mind that,
although Mr3. Manahan was the mother of several children, in
cluding little Dan, she was only on the verge of twenty-eight
when she died, in the winter of 1831. During the consciousness
of her last moments when she had made a disposition of William,
Elizabeth, and Catherine, the children that composed their little
family, Manahan betrayed one redeeming quality in his nature
that had not been entirely eradicated by his associations, by ask
ing her — " What shall I do with Dannie ? " The mother's heart
knowing full well the independent spirit of her cherished lad,
answered, " He will take care of himself." Then missing his
presence, she inquired, " Where is Dannie? " The almost heart
broken boy had been standing outside the doorway, an eyewitness
to the sorrowful scenes that were being enacted, but, hearing his
own name mentioned, he hastened to his mother's side, and with
her hand on his young head, heard the last words that proved his
talisman through a long, eventful career. "Always look after
your little sisters; never lose sight of them and never desert
them." These parting words whispered in his ear reverberated
long after the mother's form was laid to rest in the old graveyard
at the corner of Carmine and Hudson Streets, and helped to de
velop the spirit of self-reliance which, when in after years cir
cumstances threw him among the mixed associations of his pro
fessional career, stood him in such good stead.

Soon after his mother's death, home associations proved so

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 23

distasteful to the sensitive lad that he resolved to leave the scenes
of his painful memories and look for something, he knew not
what, to assist him in forgetting them. He sighed for some relief
to deaden his first real sorrow that he could scarcely realize and
but crudely interpret. The vacant place in the home was a
source of sadness that was almost unbearable, and his child-heart
was crushed with its weight of loneliness, for the gentle mother's
absence had left an aching void. Being high-spirited, and with
no grown relative near to advise him, he left his stepfather's
house and exhibited the independence in his nature by seeking
his fortune in the wide world. He never dreamed, in his heart
broken sorrow, of appealing to any one near him by the ties of
relationship. He manfully shouldered his own burdens and
faced his life of fate alone.

One day, as the early evening came on, the solitude was most
depressing, and he determined to make a beginning in forming
the opening chapters of his new career. He prepared, as was his
custom, the children for retiring, and, as he embraced for the
last time his brother and two little sisters, he mentally vowed,
with bursting heart and eyes full of tears, that he would return to
them when a man and take care of them. The promise he gave
to his mother he was ever mindful of during a long period of
active usefulness, and it has been redeemed abundantly. It may
be mentioned here that the one thousand dollars that had been
settled by his grandfather upon little Dan was largely expended
\)j Mr. Manahan in New York and the residue of it was used in
purchasing a farm at Fresh Pond (now called North Long
Branch), on the Shrewsbury Eiver in New Jersey. The pur
chase was made from Joseph West, an uncle of Dan's on the
maternal side. After Dan left his home on that memorable
evening, his previous experience inclined him to look to the turf
for a living; so he crossed the East Eiver at Catherine Street
ferry, and made his way to the old Union Course, back of Brook
lyn, to which Mr. Manahan had, on several occasions, taken him.
He was now a sturdy, agile, and strong-minded lad of eight years,
and had already given promise of the phenomenal physical
strength of which he has since made so much capital. He wan
dered to the racecourse stables of Mr. John McCoun, one of the
most experienced horse-trainers in the country, who, when he saw
the boy, expressed great surprise that he should be so far away
from his home at night. But when the lad explained, he compre
hended the situation at a glance, and took the little fellow into
the circle of his own family, and in a few days, having recognized
his ability, he engaged him in the business, and his task was to
exercise and ride the two-year-olds.

It was very fortunate for the boy that he selected the guardian-

24: REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

ship of Mr. McCoun, for that gentleman was well qualified to
sow the seeds of first principles in the right direction in a nature
that was so susceptible at that time of life. He became Dan's
first patron on the turf, and it is an interesting incident to be
remembered in that connection that John McCoun's son and suc
cessor, Dave McCoun, won the great Suburban race on the
Brooklyn track in 1891.

The peculiar circumstances that caused our hero to seek the
protecting care of Mr. McCoun were sufficient to enable him to
take the boy at once under his special care, and he soon discovered
that his protege would eventually become one of the best riders
upon the course. The thought of returning the youthful truant
to his home, or of advising his stepfather of his whereabouts,
never entered Mr. McCoun's head, as it was a principle with him
to relieve the unfortunate if possible. While horsemen are gen
erally liberal and generous, and passably honest except when
making a horse trade, their morality is universally conceded to be
somewhat at variance, and it was Bulwer who remarked that the
atmosphere of the stable probably had something to do with that
fact, but, be that as it may, the knowledge of Dan's escapade
rather advanced him than otherwise in the estimation of his
trainer as a boy of pluck and spirit, and Mr. McCoun gave him
every advantage to become an expert in the business and an
honor to himself as well. Our young lad at this time, 1831, had
just rounded his eighth year, and as he proved an apt pupil, was
pronounced a credit to his trainer, who during his rudimentary
training as a rider, took the liveliest interest in his advancement.
His first professional mount was at Trenton, N. J., at the Fall
races in 1832. President Andrew Jackson, who, with a portion
of his cabinet, had been entertained with the great chief Black
Hawk at dinner that day in Trenton, was present at this race,
and Dan rode the filly Lizzie Jackson, named for the President's
favorite niece. It was mile heats and he brought Lizzie cleverly
to the front and passed the post a winner. As this was his first
professional triumph, it was rendered more memorable by the
special notice of President Jackson, who, being doubtless much
gratified with the success of the filly named for his niece, placed
his hand on Dan's head and said, " My boy, if you live, you will
make either a great man or a great fool." In a measure this re
mark was prophetic in a dual sense; he was destined to become a
great clown. Such a compliment from the " Hero of Xew Or
leans," filled the boy's soul with delight, and though at this late
day memory recalls the impression of " Old Hickory's " hand
upon his head, Mr. Rice at times remarks that it did not hit him
hard enough to make a Jacksonian Democrat of him. After the
Trenton episode he returned to Long Island, where his next race

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 25

was upon a horse called April Fool, the property of Walter Liv
ingstone, of Oyster Bay. The race was a single dash of two miles,
which he won. The riders in this post stake were George Nel
son, Gil. Patrick, and Charlie Hood. His next mount was
Emilius, rated the best three-mile horse in the country, were it
not for the fact that in the progress of a race he was liable to
sulk and suddenly stop, and besides he was addicted to a vicious
habit of reaching around and biting the leg of the rider. As
Dan was selected to ride him, he agreed to do so provided he was
permitted to adopt what measures he pleased to protect himself.
Mr. McCoun, the trainer, who had previously had evidence of the
boy's good judgment in such instances, gave his consent, and
Dan had a strong leather legging made to cover the left leg, as the
vicious creature had never been known to attack the right one.
The legging was thickly studded with sharp brads, and when Dan
was giving the horse a walking exercise, he allowed him full play
of the bridle. In a brief period Emilius reached around with
open mouth and seized the leather covering, but in a moment let
go and did not attempt to bite until he reached a corner of a road
on which lived a well-known individual of that day, the Daniel
Drew of steamboat fame, and whose house was passed on the way
to the sand track. It was there Emilius made another attempt
to bite, holding on to the legging for a moment, but he soon again
let go with his mouth pierced and bleeding. At the same time
Dan increased the painful treatment by striking him over the
nose and ears with the handle of his riding-whip. This punish
ment repeated for a few days completely broke him of his pro
pensity for biting. Next came the question of the best means
of breaking him of the habit of sulking, which made him un
reliable when the race was in progress, and to effect this, Dan
adopted a purely original method. He brought into requisition
a pitchfork with three sharp tines, and when exercising the horse,
had one of the sons of Nathaniel Rhodes, who owned the sand
track, to ride behind him on Emilius armed with the pitchfork.
The first experiment was made on the old sand track when Dan
was taking the horse through the process of a sweat. The fitful
nature of the spirited creature possibly rebelled against the
double burden he was bearing, for Emilius sulked and stood per
fectly still. Young Rhodes thereupon applied freely the punish
ment of the pitchfork, at which Emilius snorted, reared, plunged,
and kicked, but the discipline was continued until he started off.
The same treatment was subsequently repeated in a trial of speed
which finally broke him of the habit; consequently he was en
tered for the three-mile race, and with Dan for his rider, he won.
The horse was the property of Duff Green, a sporting man of
New York, who recompensed Dan for the trouble he had taken

26 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

with his valuable racer by presenting him with a new suit of
clothes and twenty dollars in money, which was a perquisite
worth possessing for a boy of his age. He was taught and ad
vised by Mr. McCoun to hold his salary and present money sub
ject only to his personal needs, and he invariably followed that
advice during those early days of his career which had a tendency
to govern him to some extent in after life. But miserly instincts
were entirely foreign to his nature, as subsequent events in his
later life showed.

The young boy's success in breaking this vicious racer at
tracted great attention and made him famous among prominent
horsemen in that locality, and, consequently, his services were
much sought after and he became quite a hero. He was in par
ticular complimented by Hiram Woodruff, in after years the
chief of drivers in trotting-horse contests, especially with Flora
Temple, and the two brothers, John I. and Jerome Snediker,
declared him to be a "brick." The successful breaking of
Emilius was the first knowledge Dan had of his practical capacity
in breaking and training horses, a faculty in which, years after
wards, he became so proficient as to cast all competition in the
shade. About this time Dan was transferred by Mr. McCoun to
" English Joe," a remarkable racehorse trainer, whose horses
were stabled at John I. Snediker's, at whose hotel Dan was taken
to board.

His services having been transferred to " English Joe," the
prominent young rider continued to be treated with equal con
sideration and kindness, and on account of his genial nature and
abundance of good-humor, Dan made many friends under these
circumstances that brought him before the public frequently.
He was engaged to ride two and three-year-old colts, and his pre
vious reputation for subduing " the fiery, untamed steed " proved
to be somewhat of a disadvantage, as it procured for him some of
the worst and most unmanageable colts. The first horse he rode
under his new trainer was a spirited animal called Dr. Syntax, a
two-year-old who was a terror to all the young riders, for he
would rear up and fall back, and in this manner had injured
many who had attempted to ride him. During his first exercise,
knowing full well that only severe punishment would correct
his habits, Dan supplied himself with a heavy cowhide whip, and
seating himself in the saddle, was prepared for any emergency.
By meeting every attempt of the horse at rearing by punishment,
he finally broke him of the habit, and in a two-mile post stake,
he beat the remarkable Dosoris and two other colts. At the Fall
meeting, John C. Stevens, a prominent gentleman and member
of the sporting fraternity, engaged Dan Eice to ride Dosoris
against Dr. Syntax, a two-mile race, which he easily won. His

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 27

repeated triumphs caused much jealousy among the other riders,
and the climax of their envy was reached when Mr. Stevens took
Dan home to live at his house, where he spent the winter, was also
admitted into the family circle, and was sent to school. Such
a thoughtful arrangement on the part of Mr. Stevens for the
boy's welfare is worthy of mention, and how few lads, compara
tively, thus circumstanced, have such advantages in this pro
gressive age.

Mr. Eice says that his mother's death occurred during one of
the most terrific blizzards ever known in New York up to that
time, equalling the one that occurred in March, 1888, in violence
and magnitude. Some idea of its severity can be conceived when
he assures us that several days elapsed before they could bury the
body, and the snowfall was so deep that the citizens turned out
en masse along the funeral route, and made a road from the
home, situated at the corner of Twenty-sixth Street and Sixth
Avenue, to the churchyard, a distance of nearly two and a half
miles. . It was only with the greatest difficulty that three of Mrs.
Manahan's sisters, who resided in New York, could attend her
funeral. They were the only members of her family, near and
dear to her, who could possibly get to her residence to attend the
last sad services.

But there was a stranger noticed following the funeral proces
sion at some distance. A tall, distinguished man, so muffled
in a long, heavy Spanish cloak, that he was not recognizable.
His peculiar style and bearing caused Mr. Eice's aunts to suspect
that the muffled stranger was Daniel McLaren, who was their
sister's first husband and lifelong friend. It eventually proved
that such was, indeed, the fact; for, after the interment had been
made and the assemblage dispersed, he was recognized by the
sexton as he stood beside the new-made brave wherein one was
laid who occupied and held the highest place in his mind and
heart during a long and eventful life.

He placed a memento on her resting place as he stood there
painfully absorbed with his own thoughts, and finally left as
silently as he had come.

In after years he substantiated these facts to Mr. Eice when
they were once more drawn together by natural ties that even the
world could not sever.

28 REMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE

CHAPTEE IV.

HOW DAN PLAYED CARDS WITH LOUIS NAPOLEON, THE EXILED
FRENCH PRINCE — LIST OF OWNERS YOUNG RICE RODE FOR,
AND THE RACES WITH WHICH HE BRUSHED THE TURF
—HIS MARVELLOUS JOURNEY TO BUFFALO— ARRIVAL IN
PITTSBURG.

TTNDER the kind guardianship of Mr. Stevens, a new life
LJ seemed to open to the growing lad, a development to new
incentives that were encouraged by the Stevens household, for
they recognized in Dan's indomitable will the fair promises of
great aptitude in any vocation that he might be fitted for in the
years to come. Encouragement coming from such a source, filled
the boy's mind with a desire to aspire to the requirements of a
different calling, but the time had not yet arrived for such devel
opments, so he pursued the old course until he could meet the
demands with a broader experience. Isaac Van Leer was Mr.
Stevens' trainer, and Dosoris was entered for the Spring meeting
in a race of two miles and repeat. While Mr. Stevens was away
in New York, the colt, in a trial of speed, sprained a sinew of the
foreleg, and Dan was dispatched with a letter to him advising the
withdrawal of the horse. Mr. Stevens was staying at the Hotel
de Paris on Broadway, and Dan was ushered into his presence in
a room where, with several distinguished gentlemen, he was en
gaged in a game of draw poker. He delivered the missive to Mr.
Stevens, who excused himself to answer the letter, at the same time
introducing Dan. " Gentlemen," he said, " this is my favorite
rider, Yankee Dan," and continued, " here, Dan, play this hand
for me." One gentleman of the party, whose costume impressed
Dan as foreign and peculiar, was addressed as Count Louis. It
must be borne in mind that our hero, although otherwise unex
ceptionable in his morals, had by his associations with riders and
stablemen become an adept at cheating at card-playing, and so,
while the rest of the party were engaged in conversation, Dan put
up the cards, dealing his own hand from the bottom. As the
Count was out of chips, Dan loaned him, from Mr. Stevens' pile,
seventeen dollars, and afterwards "took the pot." The Count
Louis who impressed Dan with his personality was Louis Na
poleon, afterwards the destined Emperor of France, who was at
the time sojourning in the United States, and as he had a fond
ness for the races and the sporting world in general, he spent
much of his time at the clubs among turfmen and all good fellows
who enjoyed the chances of the card table.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 29

In the racing fraternity Dan was an acknowledged favorite and
had for some time been recognized as the expert rider of his day,
in fact one of the best on Long Island, and as his engagements
were continuous, he remained here until 1836, when he turned
thirteen years of age. His position brought him in contact with
many prominent persons who interested themselves in his welfare
and extended their friendship, which continued long after he
had gained prominence in the world of entertainment. Among
the well-known owners for whom he rode were Eobert L. Stevens,
John C. Stevens, Billup Seaman, and Gibbons, of Staten Island;
"Walter Livingstone, of Oyster Bay; Duff Green, of New York;
Moccasin Jackson, the owner of Bucktail; Harry Sovereign, the
owner of Oneida Chief, and Mr. Elliott, of Baltimore, owner of
Betsy Ransom. His competitors were all noted riders of their
day, the most prominent of which were Willis, the head rider of
Richard M. Johnson, of Richmond, Ya.; Gil Patrick, George Nel
son, Charley Hood, Jim and Ed. Jewell, and Hiram Woodruff.
In each and every contest our hero acquitted himself admirably
and won more than his share of the honors of the turf, and on
account of his extreme youth, these continued successes were per
haps more noticeable than they would otherwise have been under
different circumstances. Mr. Sovereign was the owner of the
pacing horse known as Oneida Chief that Dan rode in the unprec
edented time of two minutes and ten seconds in a trial of speed,
which fact created an unusual stir in the sporting circles and
served to enhance his reputation among the turfmen in general.

The horses rode by young Dan Rice in the course of his brief
experience on the turf were all celebrated flyers. The most
prominent among them were Dosoris, Dr. Syntax, Imported En
voy, owned by Judge Wilkins, of Pennsylvania, who on his return
to the United States from Russia, where he acted in the capacity
of Minister Plenipotentiary, imported the horse from England
and placed him under the training of " English Joe " at Long
Island; Boston, when a colt of two years, April Fool, Mingo, and
Post Boy, which he rode against the famous filly, Fannie Wyatt.
His latest mount was Dusty Foot, one of the most remarkable
four-mile horses of his day. Another era now opened in the life
of the young lad, the arduous beginning of which would have
crushed the stamina and moral courage of most men, but the
indomitable perseverance of youth conquered in the nature that
knew no such word as fail, and who can question the fact but
that some unseen influence preserved the boy by leading him
safely through the abyss of difficulties that faced him and tried
his powers of endurance to the utmost capacity. In the year
1837 he was destined to bid adieu to Long Island, where many
cherished memories lingered, and assume the charge of Dusty

30 EEMINISCEXCES OF DAN RICE

Foot, which he rode in many of his previous races. The inten
tion of the owner of the horse, William Goram, a Canadian by
adoption, was to transport him to Pittsburg, Pa., by way of
Buffalo.

In those days, as is well known, railroad facilities in the United
States were in their infancy, and after reaching Albany by way
of a steam tug, Dan's instructions were to lead the horse to his
final place of destination, and upon no account to ride him. He
left Albany on the 20th of October, 1837, and commenced his
wearisome journey. Most boys of his age would not have heeded
the prohibition against riding, but notwithstanding his five years'
sojourn among the turfmen and riders of questionable morality,
he stuck manfully to the task, and so, leading the horse with one
hand, and with bucket, sieve, brush, and currycomb upon the
other arm, he pluckily pursued his way. It was a dreary, tedious
journey, and the weather became bitterly cold, with occasional
heavy falls of snow, but although suffering severely, he bravely
struggled on and reached Buffalo the first of December. The
horse was consigned to Mr. Henry Mosier, who resided at Cold
Spring, three miles from the city, where Dan found rest and re
lief, for his feet were frostbitten and he was otherwise prostrated
by his arduous and perilous travel. Knowing the difficulties
through which the lad would naturally have to pass under the
most favorable circumstances, and having some doubt as to
whether he had not yielded to the temptation of riding the racer
during some part of that long, tedious tramp from Albany, Mr.
Mosier queried, " Why did you not ride the horse? " " Because
I was forbidden," replied Dan as innocently as if he had always
been in attendance at Sunday-school, instead of for half a decade
the compulsory associate of sporting men and stable boys. Mr.
Mosier gazed curiously at the lad, still almost doubting his verac
ity, but there was such an open look of honesty and ingenuousness
in his countenance, that, as he afterward remarked, he could not
help being convinced, and Dan received every attention and kind
ness in consequence. As a natural result, the fatigue and expos
ure to the extreme cold, etc., brought on an attack of fever, during
which Dan was tenderly nursed by the family, and when suffi
ciently recovered to continue his journey, his host furnished him
with ample pecuniary means to meet the requirements from day
to day. On his way through Cattaraugus Swamp, which was
inhabited only by Indians, he met with a novel experience as he
passed through the reservation.

The strange spectacle of a horse clothed in trappings and led
by a mere boy, excited the curiosity of the Indians, and the whole
community assembled en masse to comment upon it. They were
so fascinated with the strange sight that they filled Dan's bucket

REMINISCENCES OF DAN 1UCE 31

to overflowing with beads, moccasins and other Indian gifts, thus
expressing their pleasure at the appearance of the horse, and, per
haps, sympathy for the boy who was laboring through the huge
snowdrifts and at times compelled to shovel a path for his equine
charge. Pursuing his way under such extreme difficulties in that
region, he reached the town of Erie, Pa., in eight days from the
time he left Buffalo, and was there taken under the charge of
Gen. Charles M. Reed, who had been notified by letter and ad
vised of Dan's coming. For the brief period that our hero re
mained there to rest General Reed cared for him with all the
tenderness and consideration of a father, and evinced a lively
interest in the boy, who, in turn, was also impressed with a senti
ment of regard that bordered upon affection for his kind enter
tainer.

The young boy's eventful journey closed at Pittsburg, Christ
mas Eve, 1837, having lasted two months and four days, and
Dusty Foot was consigned to Judge Wilkins, who, recognizing
the lad who rode his horse on Long Island, made life very pleas
ant for him during his stay in that hospitable home. Dan's
faithful fulfillment of his mission had entailed the endurance of
hardships which would have tried the stamina of the most robust
man, but in youthful inexperience, and having no conception of
the exorbitant demands made upon his physical endurance by
the perils of such a journey, he never questioned the heartless
imposition of Mr. Goram, but merely considered he had done his
duty.

There are certain persons still living in Pittsburg to-day who
have every reason to remember the advent of the boy who brought
the racer " Dusty Foot " into the city dressed in his winter
clothes. The spectacle of a horse caparisoned and thus care
fully guarded against the weather, caused a deal of merriment
among the street urchins, who made Dan's entry a trifle too con
spicuous by hooting and throwing pieces of coal, etc.; so asking
some gentlemen, who stood near watching the proceedings, if
they would hold the horse, to which they readily assented, our
young hero threw aside his heavy top-coat, and, in the boy's ver
nacular, " pitched in." He caught two of the young arabs and
impressed his personality upon them in well-directed blows that
ushered in his first successful boy-fight in the Smoky City.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

CHAPTER V.

DAN'S SUCCESS AS A VENDER — THE CELEBRATED RACER, DUSTY
FOOT — NICK BIDDLE'S WATERLOO — THE RACE WITH GEORGE
^SEALY — LIFE ON REPPERT FARM — THE CHERRY PIE EPISODE
— THE FINE OLD STYLE SPORTING GENTLEMAN — THE RO
MANCE OF MADAME CELESTE AND MR. ELLIOTT.

A FTER his wearisome journey from Albany, Dan quickly
-LJL. recuperated under the kind treatment he received from
the family of Judge Wilkins, and was able to meet Mr. Goram,
the owner of Dusty Foot, who soon after came to Pittsburg, and
the whole party retired to Wilkinsburg, a short distance from
that place, to spend the remainder of the winter. Mr. Goram
brought with him Barney Oldwine, a youth from Long Island,
who was, years afterwards, a well-known pilot on the Ohio River.
Goram, the trainer, possessed very little of this world's goods
beyond his ownership of the racer. But being gifted with the
genuine shrewdness of the Vermont Yankee, he felt obliged to
bring that gift into active practice and devise some method
whereby the party might exist until the racing season opened.
Acting on this scheme, he constructed a workshop in part of the
house he occupied, and conceived the idea of making rakes, half-
bushel and peck measures; and in this venture depended upon
the possibility of soliciting a trade for such articles among the
farmers and tradespeople of the surrounding country. There
lived in the community a Pennsylvania Dutchman named George
Peebles, who kept a hostelry known as the Yellow Wagon Tavern,
situated between Wilkinsburg and the little village of East Lib
erty. He also owned a large farm with a fine lot of timber land
remote from the house, and on Sundays when everything was
quiet and resting, Goram would take the boys to these woods and
command them to cut saplings and timber, which they would be
required to carry half a mile over cross lots to their home. This
material was made up into the articles intended for peddling,
and as soon as there was a sufficient supply to meet the supposed
demand, Dan was initiated to the degree of head salesman, and
was sent out to solicit trade and dispose of the wares. It was
natural for him to appeal to those with whom he had come in
contact since locating in Wilkinsburg, so the first place he called
at as a peddler was the Peebles Tavern, where he knew he was
a favorite, for during the long winter evenings he had frequently
entertained the family and habitues of the tavern with character
istic negro songs, dances, etc., and he felt sure of securing their

KEMINISCEXCES OF DAN BICE 33

custom in disposing of his goods. And in this enterprise he was
not mistaken, for Mr. Peebles bought liberally, and addressing
his wife in broken German, said, " Old voman, das ish der best
of timber/' alluding to the material of which the rakes and meas
ures were made, and, turning to Dan, asked who made them.
He replied that it was Mr. Goram, the owner of the horse, and
when asked where he obtained the wood, Peebles received the as
tounding declaration that it came from his own farm. Instead of
showing any displeasure and becoming indignant at this disclos
ure, which had been made by the boy in all innocence, the good-
natured German laughed heartily as he exclaimed to his wife,
" Old voman, das ish der best joke vas I haf efer seen," and after
paying Dan for his purchase, he dismissed him with a message
to Goram to come and see him.

Whatever transpired between Mr. Peebles and Goram at the
interview, was never, of course, disclosed, but results proved that
Mr. Goram was forced to employ his inventive genius in other
directions, and without the staple article appropriated from the
Peebles farm. Besides the above short-lived manufacturing en
terprise, Goram made contracts for training horses, and soon had
quite a stud, which business was, without doubt, the most profit
able to him pecuniarily and otherwise. It was the task of the
two boys to exercise and care for the horses, and they were in the
habit of procuring the straw needed for their bedding from the
Peebles farm, but it was done in strict accordance with the knowl
edge of the farmer, for the boys were obliged to thresh the grain
by the old method of stamping it with the horses. His com
panion exhibited a prominent dislike for the labor and proved to
be a slothful lad, and Dan, in open good nature, reproached him
with leaving to himself the heavier part of the task. These re
proaches Barney resented in earnest, and the result was a boy
fight, in which the crude pugilistic powers of each youthful com
batant were brought to play in a furious onset, in which, although
Dan was the younger, Barney was brought to terms by the blows
of his antagonist, and being of a sulky, unforgiving disposition,
he declared his intention of leaving Mr. Goram unless Dan was
discharged. But Mr. Goram not being interested in their per
sonal controversies, showed a decided preference for Dan, which
so exasperated Barney beyond his endurance, that he made good
his threat and left the trainer's employ. He never forgot his
defeat and ever cherished his malice for future developments,
should he ever meet the victor of his spoils, and it subsequently
occurred that such was the feeling when Dan and he met at the
races at Charlestown, Kanawha County, Va. Capt. Tom Friend
was the owner of the horse, Nick Biddle, against which Dusty
Foot wTas entered in a two-mile race, and this gentleman's horse
3

34 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

had Dan's old antagonist, Barney, for the rider. Mr. Goram
told Barney, to whom he was indebted, that the only hope of his
ever being paid was to let Dusty Foot win the race, and this
scheme was willingly agreed to by Barney, who had long waited
for Goram to cancel the indebtedness, so it was mutually ar
ranged that Barney should make Captain Friend's horse bolt from
the track if there was any possibility of outfooting Dusty Foot.
But in consequence of the animosity he still cherished against
Dan he disobeyed the instructions and won the race. The last
day the horses were again entered in a four-mile race and repeat.
This was to be a square race, and Dan, who well knew his horse
had the bottom, as it is given in horse parlance, was determined,
if possible, to win, for Barney had indulged in considerable boast
ing after winning the previous race, and apparently felt that his
chances for " getting even " were all but realized. The excite
ment of this race was exceedingly great, and high enthusiasm
prevailed, for the first heat was close, but at the last turn Dusty
Foot led and came in a winner by two lengths. Barney was ex
asperated and complained to the judges that Dan had cheated in
the race, for as they turned into the homestretch, Dan had
spurred his horse in the shoulder, but it was evident to the judges
that Barney had done the spurring himself, for like all Western
riders of that day, in riding toe up, and without any brace in the
stirrup, his heel had moved forward and the spurring was the
inevitable result. So amid great enthusiasm the heat was given
to Dusty Foot, which so enraged Barney that he unwisely insulted
Dan, who replied with a direct blow upon Barney's nose which
caused some of his angry blood to flow. The contest was abruptly
brought to a close, but not before it was evident that Barney was
holding second place, as usual, and as soon as the young com
batants were quieted they prepared for the second heat. Feeling
sure that his horse had the staying power, Dan grew ambitious,
and was determined to inflict upon Nick Biddle and his rider a
Waterloo defeat, and he accomplished his object by .pushing the
race from the start, and at the close shut out his rival completely.
Intense excitement prevailed and our young rider was the hero of
the hour. From Charlestown the boy was taken to Lexington,
Ky., and as his Long Island reputation in a racing capacity had
preceded him in the West, his services were, therefore, in great
demand. He also rode for both Harper and Alexander while
there and brushed the turf at Crab Orchard, having first obtained
the permission of Goram, with whom he was under contract. In
following up these advantages he derived much information from
his experiences in the racing world, and keeping always in view
that one idea of securing a different position when he grew older,
he still retained all the cheerfulness of his happy nature and con-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 35

tinued to struggle on to where the star of his destiny led him.
He went with Mr. Goram to Pekin, 0., where he was again suc
cessful with Dusty Foot. A four-mile race was also run at Pekin,
and to compete in it, George Sealy, a capital fellow, came over
from Steubenville, 0., to ride Mr. John Hanson's horse, Bull-of-
the- Woods. George won the first heat from Dan by spurring
Dusty Foot in the shoulder and thus sheering him off in the last
turn. This injustice aroused the indignation of Dan, who rode
up to the judges and complained of George, who answered the
charge in race-rider fashion by the vehement exclamation,
" You're a liar! " He was a heavier and an older boy than Dan,
but such epithets could be followed by but one result, which was
demonstrated in quicker time than young Sealy had expected,
for the words were scarcely uttered before Dan had left his im
pression so strong upon his young opponent that he needed no
other reminder . than the repeated volleys of blows that were
rapidly implanted upon his personality by the sturdy fists of little
Dan Rice, which quickly brought him to terms. The judges
ruled him off the course, and Dan won the other heats, and the
race, of course, was placed to his credit. George Sealy, until re
cently, kept a stable in Baltimore, and he and Mr. Rice became
very good friends in after years. The great good nature of Mr.
Rice is proverbial, and it was never possible for him, in his youth
ful days, to hold malice or entertain the slightest degree of ani
mosity for any length of time, and he invariably showed a spirit
of inclination to settle all difficulties on short notice with his
young foes, as numerous ones have readily testified in later years.
With the winning of this notable race ended also his engagement
with Goram, and Dan bade his old companion, Dusty Foot, a last
farewell. They had shared the honors of the turf together, and
Dan's love for the equestrian art had been perfected in a great
degree by the fine control he had gained over the spirited nature
of Dusty Foot, whose intelligent instinct so obediently complied
with the artistic manoeuvres of the equally spirited boy in the
saddle; thus the mutual attachment ended, Dusty Foot to pass
into the care of another rider and young Dan Rice to seek a
higher position in his vocation. With his reputation as a rider
still increasing with the better class of turfmen, he next formed
an engagement with Dr. McDowell and Dr. Addison, of Pitts-
burg, to exercise their horses and to winter them under his own
regime until the following spring, but he soon found that the
racing qualities they possessed would never make them successes
in the racing world, so he pronounced them failures, as they ulti
mately proved to be. From there he next formed an engagement
at the Shakespeare Gardens, owned by James Wilson, a sporting
man of East Liberty, near Pittsburg, who was also half owner of

36 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

the thoroughbred racer Aroostook, in conjunction with Tom Wal
lace, another sporting character. Mr. Wallace, who was passion
ately fond of the races, was exceedingly wealthy, and Mr. Eice
has often since declared that Wallace was the only member of the
fraternity that he had ever known to die possessed of ample
means. Dan was selected to attend Aroostook to the races at
Wheeling, in West Virginia, on the occasion of the opening of the
new track on Nimrod Farm, built by Y. N. Oliver, of Culpeper
Courthouse, Va. Upon the auspicious two-mile day, after a
closely contested race, he won a broken heat, and on the next day
he rode a four-mile heat for Eichard E. Johnson, which he also
won.

In those sporting days of the olden time, when a man's honor
rested on the words he spoke and not on the legal transactions of
trickery, Mr. Johnson was one of the most prominent members
and interested patrons of the turf. He was a Virginian by birth
and belonged to the old school, and was as generous and whole-
souled a gentleman as ever placed foot in the stirrup or measured
the range of a racer's speed, but alas, for the vicissitudes of life,
and of turfmen of that period in particular, some years later, in
1850, when Mr. Johnson was drifting on the stream of adversity,
in New Orleans, Mr. Eice, with a few old friends, assisted in con
tributing to the support of this waif of the old-time chivalry.
After the engagement closed at Wheeling, Dan went with Aroos
took to Louisville, Ky., where he was entered for the four-mile
race over the Oakland course, but Hugh Gallagher, the trainer,
advised the withdrawal of the horse, as he showed symptoms
of lampas and refused to take his food, but those interested in
the racing persisted in entering him for the trial, and Dan,
who was especially gifted with foresight in such instances,
apprehending the outcome of the result, advocated the train
er's advice and refused to ride. The feeling this refusal
engendered caused a breach of engagement, which was forth
with annulled, and another boy, Warren Peabody, was pro
cured as rider. There were four entries on this occasion — Leg
Treasurer, owned by Jim Bell, of Nashville, Tenn.; Wagner,
owned by Campbell Bros., of Baltimore; Blacknose, owned by
Colonel Shy, of Kentucky, and Aroostook. On this exciting oc
casion, Dan was selected by Col. Jim Shy, of Lexington, to ride
his horse Blacknose, which position he accepted and won the
race, Aroostook being distanced, as was foreseen by both Dan and
the trainer, so also was the four-mile horse Wagner that had
eclipsed the great Kentucky favorite, Gray Eagle. After the
ending of this series of repeated successes, our young rider had
an inclination to leave the turf, as his mind craved the advantages
that might lead him eventually into different channels in which

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 37

his talents could be improved for better openings, so he returned
to Pittsburg, his adopted home,, and had given to him the care of
Robert Massingham's stables at the corner of Front and Ferry
Streets in that city. But he was not destined to remain here for
any length of time, for his reputation as a rider secured for him
the position of trainer. He was, therefore, engaged by Mr. Gar
rison Jones to put his horses in training for the races at the
Mound Eacecourse (the track at the Ximrod Farm having gone
into disuse); and he was especially engaged to ride " Pandora,"
a four-mile mare, and " Polly Piper," a mile-heat animal, or
the best three in five, which he did in three straight heats. These
horses were the personal property of a man named Victor, a
blacksmith who lived in Wheeling. He was herculean in stature,
as well as in strength, for he stood nearly seven feet in height and
was a proverbial tobacco-chewer, having his tobacco put up for
his special use by a man named Stogy, the inventor of a peculiar
form of cigar called the " Wheeling Stogy." Mr. Victor was in
the habit of chewing a pound of tobacco a day, which proved
quite an item of interest to the unfortunate, crippled manufac
turer, who reminded one of Uriah Heep, that peculiar freak of
Charles Dickens' genius.

At the conclusion of the race the excitement was very great,
especially among the Wheeling people, and Mr. Victor was so
enthusiastic that he set Dan astride his shoulders and paraded
him before the grand stand, where the people threw down
money to the boy who brought the Wheeling horse in a
winner.

From thence he went to Marietta, 0., where he placed under
training Rat Catcher, belonging to Nat Bishop, a blacksmith;
Kosciusko, owned by Warren Wilcox, a merchant; and Osceola,
the property of Robert Johnson, a harness maker. He was lo
cated four miles below Marietta, upon the Humphry Farm, owned
and occupied by Mr. George Reppert, a Pennsylvania Dutchman,
who evinced a decided interest in Dan and made him a guest in his
own home. It was while there that he himself organized a Jockey
Club, and established a mile track, which won considerable prom
inence, and during the summer of that year he caused to be con
structed a judges' and a grand stand, and in the meantime matured
and trained horses for the Fall races, and was also generally em
ployed in training horses for persons living in the surrounding
country. The enterprise being quite a new undertaking in that
vicinity, created much excitement among the inhabitants, and
the Fall meeting was registered to open in October, after the
harvest season was over. Fortune seemed also to favor the young
lad in a monetary way, for he won every purse through his su
perior knowledge of horsemanship. His successful venture then

38 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

led him to Parkersburg, Va., to which place he repaired, taking
with him Osceola and a four-year-old roan colt, which he stabled
with a farmer, Mr. Paul Cook, near the racecourse.

Something in the boy's nature acted like magic on the sensi
bilities of those with whom he came in contact, for he had the
happy faculty of meeting with people who, though representing
every strata of society, never failed to treat him in the kindliest
manner possible. There was ever an air of mystery about the
lad, who carefully guarded the knowledge of his ancestral identity
from the curious, and never to his most interested patrons on the
turf did he become confidential to that degree to give them his
family name. Some innate individuality apparently forbade
connecting that sacred tie to the vocation he followed, and many
worthy patrons respected the sealed secret of his life on the race
course, and called him merely Dan-the-race-rider, or invented
some nom-de-plume that suited the occasion. Thus the happy
boy met his hosts of friends on equal footing. It was at Parkers-
burg that Dan became acquainted with three fine gentlemen who
were prominent throughout the State, and these well-known men
were Mr. Mote Holliday, General Maybury, and General Jack
son, all of wrhom were enthusiastic lovers of the turf. So devoted
was General Maybury to the sports of the course that he never
failed to give the racing his full attention when the season was in
progress, and it was at the races he died many years after, at the
advanced age of eighty, while sitting in his carriage and witness
ing the performance of a specially interesting contest. These
gentlemen were all thoroughbred Virginians of the old school,
and General Jackson was an earnest Presbyterian church digni
tary and the soul of honor, as indeed they all were, including Mr.
Cook, who was famous for his superior hospitality. At the con
clusion of the exciting experiences that followed in the course of
events at the Fall meeting in Parkersburg, Dan returned to the
Reppert Farm near Marietta, where he spent an enjoyable winter
after delivering the horses to their respective destinations and bal
ancing the accounts of the season. Life at the farm was one con
tinual round of enjoyment peculiar to the inhabitants of that
locality in those early, hospitable times, when a man's character
was measured by the traits he exhibited and not by the length of
the purse he carried. Ample means are always essential bless
ings, buHt did not, at that time, follow that they were absolutely
necessary in order to contract friendships on an equal basis, so
young Dan Rice was welcomed among these superior people for
the real true worth that beamed in his great good nature. A
young grandson of Mr. Reppert's made his home at the farm,
and, although an older lad, a strong friendship was formed be
tween the two boys, who were brimful to overflowing with fun and

Situated on St. Charles street

Between Poydras st- & Commercial Place,

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 39

frolic, and it was a difficult task to undertake to draw the line
of comparison between these mischievous youngsters, who often
brought good Grandmother Reppert to her wit's end to parry their
assaults in the household. The grandson, George Barclay, was
a fearless fox hunter, and in initiating our young hero into the
mysteries of the hunt, it is a well-known joke handed down to the
later generations that Dan Rice was so profoundly engrossed with
bringing out the speed of the horse he rode that he entirely forgot
the game young Barclay was routing, and, through force of habit,
made a wild dash for the supposed homestretch, which drove
frisky Reynard to safe cover. Young Barclay afterwards located
in California, where he became well known in the seafaring world
as Capt. George Barclay, and was the first seaman to navigate
a steamboat from San Francisco to Sacramento. The Reppert
family was notably a large one, and its connections being exten
sive, the kinsmen are now scattered in various walks of life, be
coming prominent in many instances and preserving the integrity
of the family name by the same honest principles that have been
bequeathed by an untarnished ancestry. It was under the in
fluence of such worthy people that Mr. Rice spent a few nappy
months, the memories of which have lingered through a long,
busy career. At that time his boy life was just verging on the
threshold of early manhood, and the careful counsel of Grand
father Reppert was good seed sown in his young heart, that has
ripened in his matured years, long after the good old gentleman
has passed to a condition that lives only in memory. The ster
ling reputation of Mr. Reppert gained him many friends of solid
worth and character, and he was also identified as a partner
of the distinguished statesman, Albert Gallatin, in establishing
the first glassworks west of the Alleghany Mountains, on the
Monongahela River.

One anecdote of Mr. Rice's life at the Reppert Farm is worth
preserving, for it carries us back to the regime of olden time, and
also demonstrates some of the mischievous propensities reigning
uppermost in the happy nature of Dan Rice. It happened on the
occasion of Miss Annie Reppert's marriage to her cousin Jacob, of
the same family name. There was a large assemblage of the elite
of Marietta, and the company also included representatives from
the families of the surrounding country farmers. Mother Rep
pert's skill as a housewife was actively put to the test, and on
the gala day in question the great table in the dining-room of
the rambling old farmhouse fairly groaned with its weight of
choice viands, prepared by loving hands to grace the auspicious
occasion, and many of the old German dishes were compounded
from recipes brought from the Fatherland, and had been handed
down through the previous generations. The festivities were a

40 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

source of great merriment to the younger members of the family,
and perhaps no two of them enjoyed it more hugely than did
young George Barclay and Dan Rice, for they brought all their
mischief into full play, reserving the climax until the marriage
ceremony was ended. While the newly wedded pair were receiv
ing the congratulations, the piercing cry of " Murder " was
heard coming from the front porch, and the entire company
rushed in undignified confusion to the scene of the tragedy, to
behold a poor victim with face and hands streaming with gore
and the features gruesomely distorted out of all semblance of his
former self. The wedding festivities were totally forgotten by
this unfortunate disaster, and all thoughts were turned to the
victim. Investigation was made in great haste to learn the ex
tent of the injuries he had received, when the applications re
vealed the fact that mischievous Dan Rice was covered with the
juicy contents of a huge cherry pie which young Barclay had
thrown at him designedly to create the sensation. The plot was
betrayed by the smiling look of unconcern with which each
youngster greeted the vast assemblage of invited gusts, who were
truly grateful that it was only a "cherry-pie tragedy." And
dear old Mother Reppert was forced to emphasize in her broken
German, " Oh, mein Gott, mein Gott, Dan, you be such a teufel! "

CHAPTER VI.

YOUNG RICE'S FIRST MEETING WITH THE DISTINGUISHED HENRY
CLAY — THE WRECK OF THE " MOSELLE " — EXPLOSION OF THE
BOILER ON THE STEAMBOAT ON WHICH RICE AND HIS RACE
HORSE WERE PASSENGERS — THEIR MIRACULOUS ESCAPE —
YOUNG RICE AS A POSTAL OFFICER. — BUNCH O^BONES
— ABRAHAM LINCOLN JUDGE IN A QUARTER RACE — WHY
YOUNG RICE WITHDREW FROM THE TURF.

WHILE the party were at Pittsburg the previous winter, Mr.
William Hughes, a celebrated sporting character of that
day, having heard of Dan's superior skill with the racers of the
turf, formed a contract with Mr. Goram for the lad's services
to ride his four-mile horse, "John Clifton," at the Louisville
races. Accordingly at the opening of the season the boy started
with the horse from Moundville, taking passage at that place in
a light-draft stern-wheel boat, with two barges in tow, loaded with
emigrants. The water being low, the steamer necessarily ran
very slow, and there was plenty of time to devote to amusement.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Among the passengers on the boat was the distinguished Senator,
Henry Clay, who was on his way to his home in Lexington, Ky.
Mr. Clay, with his genial good nature, indulged in the pastimes
of the voyage, and on one occasion he walked down to the deck
of one of the barges where some of the people were dancing. He
was accompanied by Dan, whose acquaintance he had formed by
noticing the lad who had in his charge the racer, and together
they watched the performances of the emigrants. "Can you dance,
Dan? " asked the Senator of the young rider. " Not those Ger
man dances, sir," he replied, " but I can do a jig or reel." " Well,
then," said Mr. Clay, " let me see if I can't play something for
you," and suiting the action to the word, he borrowed a violin and
played the air " Money Musk," which was at that time very popu
lar, to which Dan danced an encore. He has since said, that
of all the tunes to which he ever danced, that one of " Money
Musk " seemed to him the longest. Arriving at Cincinnati, Mr.
Hughes met Dan at the levee, and transferred him and the horse
to the steamboat " Moselle," plying between Cincinnati, Louisville,
and St. Louis. She was nearly new and was regarded by many as
the fastest boat upon the river. Dan took his horse, John Clif
ton, aboard and located him on the extreme stern of the boat on
the larboard guard. This was upon April 26, 1838, a day mem
orable for years afterwards to the people of Cincinnati. The
captain, whose name was Perkins, after taking freight and pas
sengers at the Cincinnati wharf, steamed up the river a mile and
a half to the village of Fulton for a family that had engaged pas
sage. Another Louisville boat had started ahead, and while
waiting for his Fulton passengers to embark he tied the "Moselle"
to a lumber raft, still keeping up a head of steam. This was a
dangerous proceeding, as the Evans safety guard to prevent the
explosion of steam boilers had not yet been introduced, but he
was anxious in passing the city to exhibit the speed of his boat
as well as to pass his rival and reach Louisville first. After the Ful
ton part went on board, the " Moselle " cast off and commenced
her journey. At that moment a man who had seen the steam
gauge, rushed through the engine room to the stern of the boat
shouting loudly, " By G — d, this boat is going to blow up! " and
then sprang into the river on the shore side. Dan, with his im
pulsive nature, at once became excited, and, unfastening the
horse, succeeded in forcing him overboard, and quick as thought
sprang in after him. There were several panic-stricken passen
gers on deck, who, having heard the man's wild shout of alarm,
also did likewise, but Dan had scarcely time to mount the horse
before the boiler burst and there was an explosion which rever
berated like a clap of thunder from the surrounding hills. It
was a wild and terrible scene and indescribable in its dire results,

42 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

but Dan managed to preserve his presence of mind and directed
the horse towards the Kentucky shore opposite, avoiding as best
he could the flying fragments around and about him, while the
heart-rending cries of the perishing passengers and crew smote
painfully on his ear. Still the boy persevered in guiding the
racer in this struggle for life, and, by almost a miracle, he and
the horse made the shore in safety, landing in Covington, which
was at that time merely a village. After the explosion, what re
mained of the "Moselle" drifted a short distance down the stream
and sank, and the placid waters of the Ohio held in her bosom
the secret of the terrible tragedy. With the exception of the
few passengers who were in the ladies' cabin and those who, like
Dan, had taken to the water prior to the explosion, all were killed
outright or so fearfully scalded that they died shortly afterward.
The exact number has never been ascertained, but it was esti
mated that at least two hundred were victims to the captain's
criminal and insane ambition to outrace any boat upon the river.
After experiencing these harrowing events, Dan remained with
the horse that night at Covington, and started for Louisville by
land the next morning. It was impossible for him to communicate
with Hughes, the owner of the horse, and that individual know
ing of the accident, supposed that both the boy and horse had
perished in the general calamity. Nor did he suspect otherwise
until a few days afterwards when he went to Louisville, he dis
covered our indomitable hero exercising the horse upon the Oak
land course. To say that Hughes was astonished expresses the
situation but mildly; he was as much amazed as if he had wit
nessed the resurrection of horse and rider from the tomb. Mr.
Rice has since remarked in his quaint way that he never was
quite certain as to which of the two Mr. Hughes was most pleased
to behold, himself or the thoroughbred; but he gave Mr. Hughes
the benefit of the doubt out of charity, for he proclaimed young
Rice's presence of mind and successful effort in the rescue of the
horse throughout the sporting circle of Louisville, until our hero
became indeed the hero of the hour. It is to be regretted that
the horse was not destined to win the race after passing through
such trying difficulties, for it would have been a triumphant
climax to the fame of the boy who rode him. But in forcing him
over the side of the boat into the river and in swimming the Ohio,
the animal had been strained, and at the time of the race had not
sufficiently recovered from the ordeal to win out. But it was
admitted that it was not through Dan's mismanagement that the
unfortunate results followed.

At the conclusion of the race that proved so unsatisfactory on
account of the accident to the racer, young Rice made prepara
tions to return to Mr. Goram at Charleston and conclude the pro-

KEMINISCEXCES OF DAN KICE 43

gram at that place, but decided to stop at Marietta on his return
journey and visit his old friends at the Eeppert farm. He had
been there but a short time when he received word to come
directly to Moundville, as Colonel Jones, his guardian, was very
ill and supposed to be dying. He made haste to obey the sum
mons, but as the steamboat was delayed on account of low water,
he arrived only in time to attend the funeral of the kind-hearted
man who had proved such a true friend to the young boy under
his charge. After a few days Mrs. Jones informed Dan that her
husband had, before his illness, formed an engagement for him
with Capt. Tom Moore, of Wheeling, to ride in St. Louis, at the
Fall meeting, that gentleman's four-mile mare, " Karina." He,
therefore, prepared himself and accompanied Captain Moore with
the animal to St. Louis, but the race was not successful, as the
mare broke down in her forelegs in the second heat, after winning
the first. However, Dan received one hundred dollars for his
services according to contract, which, in a measure, proved some
compensation to the ambitious lad, who earnestly sought to give
satisfaction in every instance that followed in his vocation.

At the close of the racing season, Mr. Stickney^ one of the post-
office officials at St. Louis, who was afterwards a well-known
landlord of the Planters' House, engaged young Eice for a special
mission, which consisted of taking the official papers and riding
cross country to the mouth of the Illinois River and establish
ing post-offices as directed by the government on the way. In
those days every one ran quarter horses all in the western coun
try, a sport that seemed to be the prevailing pastime for several
decades. At these races young Eice, who was passionately fond of
athletics, became an active student of gymnastic exercises, in the
science of which he became very expert and displayed superior
skill, employing the same untiring energy that had ever marked
his career upon the turf. He was at this period only seventeen
years of age, but was always prepared to banter the field in a foot
race, wrestling match, jumping, or throwing the sledge, and so
well were his powers known, that seldom was there found a con
testant hardy enough to accept the challenge, or if accepted, vig
orous enough to escape defeat. He accepted a match with Dick
Bradt, the celebrated western footracer, at the little hamlet of
Bethel, near Springfield, 111., in which he exhibited the same
spirit that characterized every sport in which he -participated.
In the course of these foot races, in connection with John Ethel,
who afterward became a lead miner at Galena, young Eice as
sumed control of "Bunch O'Bones," a quarter-horse that had
never been beaten. Bunch O'Bones had become comparatively
unprofitable, as he was invariably " expected " in all the quarter-
mile races. Young Eice, being always possessed of the one am-

44 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN BICE

bition to rise to a different condition, applied himself to get the
horse in order with a view to enlarge his sphere of action in a
trip through Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia.

An amateur of the turf called Tom Whiton, a well-known Ohio
Eiver pilot, of Marietta, was also connected with the fraternity
when not following his legitimate vocation. Having, in com
mon with the great sporting gentry, heard often of Bunch
O'Bones, and knowing — so profound was his owner's confidence in
him, that a horse that could beat him would " win his pile," pro
cured " Hotspur," a quarter-horse in Virginia who he was willing
to put against the combined forces of racers. His previous suc
cesses induced Mr. Whiton to bring his stable to St. Louis to at
tend the Fall races there, and feeling fortified to meet young Eice
in his venture, he then proceeded to Bethel, where a match was
soon arranged between Hotspur and Bunch O'Bones.

Quite an excitement was created in the country around, and
Whiton laughed at the sly hints of sympathy, that he, a com
parative amateur in the business, should risk a match with Bunch
O'Bones, notoriously the fastest horse in the State, and con
gratulated himself that Dan did not suspect that Hotspur was
an assumed name covering a steed that had won so many hardly-
contested laurels. Young Eice felt some misgivings in regard to
the coming race, although the match was only for fifty dollars a
side, and either party would have sacrificed the whole amount of
the purse to have known to a certainty which horse would win,
and both young men probably resolved in their minds how this
information could be obtained without the knowledge of the
other. Three days before the race, Dan was greatly surprised
that Whiton, with whom he had a trivial misunderstanding the
year before at Wheeling, was now unusually courteous and urgent
in his invitations to a chat and a social glass at Case's Tavern,
but his surprise was changed to suspicion when he overheard a
groom whisper to Whiton, " At this rate you'll never get Eice
drunk enough to open the stable."

Then it was that he understood their object. Their pretended
friendship was a conspiracy to get Bunch O'Bones out of the
stable to run a trial race. The suspicious remark which he ac-
cidently overheard caused young Eice to change his methods and
feign to be gradually overcome by deep potations, and finally to
lose all control over himself. He successfully managed his part
in the play and soon appeared so nearly overcome with sleep as
to require to be shaken vigorously. Another glass of the bever
age was mixed, and shortly after the owner of Hotspur and the
groom kindly assisted him to his room and put him to bed to
sleep off the effects of dissipation. No sooner, however, did Dan
hear their retreating footsteps, than he quickly arose, prepared

BEMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE 45

himself, and,, running swiftly to the rear of the barn, he effected
an entrance to the back of the stable, and changed Bunch O'Bones
from the front stall to the back stall, putting in Bunch O'Bones7
place another quarter-horse, Gamut, owned by a friend who ac
companied him on the journey speculatively, which horse re
sembled Bunch O'Bones so closely that any one who had seen the
latter only twice, as Hotspur's owner had, would not be likely to
detect the change, especially at night. This change being made,
he secreted himself in the hay-mow overhead, first making a pas
sageway through which he could see into the stable below.
Young Eice had only time enough to accomplish this change of
horses and prepare his place to watch the proceedings, for almost
as soon as this was effected, he heard the staple forced out of the
locked door and Whiton and the groom entered stealthily. It
was the work of a moment to take out Gamut and proceed to a
level lane, where they were followed by Dan, who, by scaling the
garden fence in the rear and keeping the shadows, arrived unseen
on the field of action as soon as they. Hotspur soon followed
Gamut in the hands of the groom and Dan had the great satis
faction of seeing Hotspur, after a hardly-fought trial of speed,
come out ahead of Gamut about one length, which Hotspur's rider
declared could be increased a length more on the day of the race.
Contented with what he had learned, Dan returned to the stable
and soon found an opportunity to exchange the horses to their
respective stalls, after which he hastened to his room without
being detected, greatly relieved in mind and with a fund of spirits
the next morning that failed to conceal an affectation of head
ache and drowsiness. He was satisfied that Bunch O'Bones could
beat Gamut three lengths easily, and, of course, was good for two
with Hotspur. From that time on each side was confident, and
Dan took every bet that was offered, advising his friends that he
had the " deadwood " on it. Each party was in such good humor
with himself on the day of the race that no trouble was had about
preliminaries. Dan rode Bunch O'Bones and the same rider that
rode him on the night escapade mounted Hotspur. Both started
off in the finest style of action, but to the unspeakable mortifica
tion of Hotspur's owner and the consternation of his rider, Bunch
O'Bones slowly but surely forged to the front, coming in first
just by a nose as was decided by the judge amid the hoots and
jeers of the natives. But all opposition to his decision was soon
quelled by the judge himself, whose standing in the community
was very high, and furthermore the judge had gone so far as to
wager a dollar or two himself on Hotspur, who was the neighbor
hood's favorite.

Now comes one of the most extraordinary incidents in the
story. This judge was a gawky young Illinois lawyer named

46 [REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Abraham Lincoln, who held all the bets made on the race, and
handed them over to the winners. He had stopped overnight at
Bethel on his circuit from Springfield to Jacksonville, 111., and
had been selected to act as stakeholder. His fellow-citizens were
quite indignant at his decision in Rice's favor, for they had lost
every bet, and their exchequers were exhausted. But when he was
President, Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Rice enjoyed many hearty laughs
over Bunch O'Bones' victory.

Having successfully fulfilled his mission with Mr. Stickney,
young Rice returned to St. Louis, and after having sold the horse
to Bob O'Blennis, a well-known character of that city, for a large
sum, he gave up his projected tour to the South, and finally re
tired from the turf to follow inclinations that eventually led him
into a different calling.

CHAPTER VII.

MR. RICE'S DEBUT ON THE STAGE — HE MEETS THE ORIGINAL
FAKIR OF AVA — HIS ROLE AS DEMON OF THE FIERY
FOREST — WINNING A STEAMBOAT FROM ITS CAPTAIN —
HIGH WAGES WHILE A COACHMAN AT THE ALLEGHANY
ARSENAL — A NARROW ESCAPE IN ASSUMING THE RdLE OF
GHOST — DANCES THE CAMPTOWN HORNPIPE AT THE NICH-
OLLS' CIRCUS IN PITTSBURG — YOUNG RICE'S FIRST MEET
ING WITH SECRETARIES RUSK AND WINDOM IN EARLY
DAYS.

ON young Dan Rice's retirement from the turf in the autumn
of 1839, and on his return to St. Louis in December, fate
had prepared for him a dramatic debut of which he was not slow
to take advantage. He had reported to Mr. Stickney the result
of his post-office mission, and while cogitating on the advisability
of returning to Pittsburg, he visited several places of amusement,
one of which was the St. Louis Museum on Market Street, where
he was recognized by several amateur actors. Among the num
ber was Mr. J. H. McVicker, who eventually became the father-
in-law of the renowned actor, Edwin Booth. This gentleman
cordially greeted Mr. Rice and introduced him to Professor
Marshall, the manager of the museum, who kindly asked him to
remain and attend the performance. After the play was over,
Mr. Rice invited a number of his friends, among whom was Mr.
McVicker, with whom he had previously become acquainted with
at the races, to lunch with him, which invitation they accepted.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 47

While they enjoyed themselves in the hearty good-fellowship
that usually attends such occasions, Mr. McVicker asked Mr.
Rice to dance at his benefit in negro character " The Camptowri
Hornpipe/' a very popular dance in those days. This he agreed
to do and the benefit took place a few evenings afterwards. Thus
young Rice was brought to the public notice in a new guise and
entirely different kind of business, and he made a good hit, for
he was encored several times. When Professor Marshall, the
" Fakir of Ava," saw the natural ability of the young man, he
asked him to take a small role in a new production about to be
brought out at the museum.

" The Sleeping Beauty, or the Demon of the Fiery Forest/'
was to be introduced by Marshall, with a close attention to thrill
ing detail, and Mr. Rice was cast to play the demon, a part more
conspicuous in name than in reality. Mr. McVicker was cast for
the leading role, that of the virtuous young hero whose aim it
was to rescue the Sleeping Beauty from the machinations of the
demon. Mr. McVicker was at that time pursuing the business
of cabinet-maker, with a strong leaning toward the theatrical, and
which eventually became his calling in life, as is well known in
the theatrical world. The manager on this particular occasion
had not been sparing of scenic effects, and when the audience saw
the great snakes, hideous dragons, and monsters of form and ges
ture, hitherto undreamed of, peering from the foliage and among
the trees and insinuating their writhing folds across the Fiery
Forest, there was a distinct sensation. Young Rice, although
dressed in the full garb of a demon, proved to be the most pro
foundly scared mortal in the house. It appears that he had not
indulged in the pleasure of these adjuncts at rehearsals, therefore,
as the curtain rose, he was beheld standing in the midst of these
blazing horrors, exceedingly fierce in aspect, but oh, so faint at
heart at sight of these goblins doomed, that he suddenly ran off
the stage with his tail between his legs, and stood cowering in the
wings. The audience, recognizing Dan Rice and his genuine
stage fright, roared out its encouragement of security.

" Get back there and take the centre of the stage! " shouted
McVicker, striding on in full heroics, prepared to rescue the
Sleeping Beauty, who was apparently resting on a mossy bank.
But young Rice had already recovered his presence of mind. An
noyed at McVicker's brusque language, which had ended with a
very pronounced aspirate oath that unmistakably proclaimed him
an idiot, he was not slow to perceive that the cries of the people
were giving him more than his share of prominence in the play.
So he responded with pretended reluctance to the shouts of a
score or more of his friends, and with them, flames and all, de
liberately took the stage from the enraged McVicker, and the

48 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

disconsolate, but now wide-awake Beauty, shouldered his Devil's
tail and " pitched into " the " Camptown Hornpipe." This in
congruous interlude had a tendency to break up the performance
that was advertised, the curtain dropped and the audience dis
persed screaming with laughter.

It was at this period that gambling was the passion of the day,
and the Mississippi steamboats have been characterized as veri
table " floating hells " on the bosom of the " Father of Waters."
It is to be regretted that this vocation was soon to become more
than amusement to young Eice, for the hand of fate seemed dis
posed to add also that experience to the decree of his destiny.
After leaving St. Louis, where his unfortunate debut as an actor
ended in such a ludicrous manner, he drifted into a new channel
where circumstances propelled him, and thought of a life on the
river as the next step toward elevating himself to a higher stand
ard. With his peculiar aptitude at cards, he soon developed into
a professional that had but few, if any, superiors, and in a sur
prisingly short time he made regular preparations to lay siege to
the purse of the travelling public. He procured a fireman's out
fit and shipped on the steamboat Czar, a St. Louis and Pittsburg
packet, commanded by Capt. Billy Forsythe, a celebrated man on
the river at that day, though long since gone to his reward, and
with all his energies he launched into this new undertaking.
These preparations were to enable young Eice to get a chance to
play cards with the unfortunate deck passengers, a regular fire
man meanwhile working below in that capacity in his place.
With the same exhibitions of success following him that had
marked his career on the turf, he won furniture, horses, money,
and, indeed, so much in general of everything that suspicion was
aroused and he was obliged to disembark at Louisville. There
he again ventured on the New Argo, Captain Steele commanding,
to go up the Kentucky Eiver to Frankfort, and while on the boat
he figured as a watchman. After donning his watchman's garb
and going on deck, he would solicit patronage and forthwith
proceeded to win everything in sight, and after playing on the
New Argo the whole winter, he won the boat itself from the cap
tain; but with the instinctive principle of justice that ruled him
in every transaction, he gave her back to Captain Steele when he
left the service at Frankfort.

Yearnings for a permanent location seemed to take possession
of the young man in the various phases of his career, and he was
naturally inclined to Pittsburg through the force of circum
stances. His old-time boy friends were there and also many
prominent persons who had interested themselves in his welfare
during his racing days. So it was to that city that his heart in
clined, and he left Frankfort by stage-coach for Pittsburg, by way

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 49

of Cincinnati. The ruling propensities that governed him dur
ing the past few months on the river predominated during his
journey, and he found willing victims to indulge in his favorite
winning games at cards while en route to Pittsburg. The ex
traordinary hold the passion for play had, at that time, o-n the
American people is shown in George W. DevoPs remarkable work,
" Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi River." It was in
the spring of 18-iU that young Eice arrived in Pittsburg, where he
bought a third interest in a livery stable at the corner of Front
and Ferry Streets, owned by an Englishman named Massingham,
who has been previously mentioned and with whom Dan had
formerly associated. In the autumn of that year he disposed of
his interest in the stable and deposited his money in the bank.
Roddy Patterson, an acquaintance with whom he had often ex
changed favors, was a wrell-known livery-stable keeper in Pitts
burg. This person knowing that young Rice was embracing
every opportunity to better his condition, one day informed him
that Captain Harding, the commander of the Alleghany Arsenal,
wanted a careful, experienced man to drive his family carriage.
" And Dan," said Patterson, " why don't you go and take the
job? " After carefully thinking over the possibilities that might
occur if he should take the position, he obtained a note of intro
duction to Captain Harding. He found this gentleman well
disposed toward him and he was commissioned by the captain
to go and see Mrs. Harding, whose private apartments were lo
cated across the plateau in the Arsenal enclosure, and assure her
as to his capabilities as a driver. The commandant's wife was
so exceedingly timid that the slightest display of spirit on the
part of a horse alarmed her almost to the verge of hysterics. Cor
respondingly great, therefore, was her husband's desire to secure
a driver with whom not only he, but his wife as well, might feel
the assurance of safety. In the very beginning, Mrs. Harding
expressed her belief that Dan was too young and forthwith began
questioning him as to his past experience. Young Rice, who did
not lack confidence, replied satisfactorily, until she asked him
how near the edge of a precipice he could drive without tilting
over. And to this he replied that he would not try the experi
ment but would keep as far from it as possible. " You will do,"
the lady exclaimed, and dismissed him with a brief note to her
husband, who read it with great care, and, after a few prelimi
naries, began the final agreements as to what salary he expected.
" Understand," said he, " you will not be expected to attend
to grooming the horses; all that you will have to do will be to
mount the seat when the carriage is brought out, and drive, and
upon your return the groom will take the horses back to the
stable. Now," said the captain, " what wages will you require? "

50 BEMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE

Dan hesitated a moment, and then replied that he thought
sixty dollars a month would be a fair compensation.

" Sixty dollars a month," echoed the captain in a tone of as
tonishment, " did I hear aright? "

" You certainly did/7 rejoined Dan, " I said sixty dollars a
month; do you think it too much? "

" Why, of course I do," replied the captain.

" Very well," said Dan, " no harm is done, and I wish you, sir,
a very good-day."

But as he was preparing to leave, the captain called him back
and again asked him if he had not made a mistake in his figures
and if he did not himself think them unreasonably high.

" Well, sir," replied Dan, " they do appear high, but they
are not so for the work I propose to perform. Now I will
make a proposition. Within one month I will engage that the
lady will be taught to drive the team herself without fear or
hesitation, and if I fail in this, then I will forfeit a month's
salary."

" If you do this," said the captain, " I will not grudge you the
sixty dollars," and the contract being made, upon the following
Monday young Eice was duly installed in his new and comfortable
quarters.

They were decidedly superior to his apartments in the Massing-
ham stable, and altogether it was to him a new life. He was
never treated as a menial, but, except when guests were invited,
he had his seat at the table as one of the family, and could ho
have remained contented, his life would have been exceedingly
pleasant. True to his promise, a month had not elapsed before
Mrs. Harding not only mounted the seat of the carriage but
handled the reins and drove the horses in such a fearless way that
it astonished the garrison.

The Hardings had four children, three boys and one girl, the
younger boys, William and Van Buren, being at home, and
Ebenezer, the elder, at school at Carlisle, Pa. Mischievous, high-
spirited, fun-loving youngsters they were. Scarcely a night
would pass but William and Van Buren were found to have stolen
away from the paternal rooftree. The captain tried at first to
frighten them into staying home at night by the recital of hair-
raising and blood-curdling ghost stories, but all to no avail. So,
one night, he hired young Rice to play ghost, and the result came
very near ending Dan's life, for William had happened on that
occasion to sally forth with a shotgun, one commonly supposed
by his father to be unloaded. Dan, swathed in sheets, stood
boldly out in the moonlight, holding high over his head a stout
wooden cross, over which a sheet was draped. On being confronted
with this awful apparition, Willie calmly fired his fowling-piece

BEMINISCEXCES OF DAN KICE 51

and the entire charge passed through the sheets into the cross,
just above Dan's head.

This was one of his first spectacular appearances, but the role
of ghost came very near being his last.

The Harding family have now, at this date, all passed away
with the exception of the daughter, who is the wife of Oliver T.
Barnes, of ^ew York, the prominent civil engineer who was so
important a factor in the survey of the Pennsylvania Railroad
lines. She is a noble woman, and Colonel Rice feels that, to the
refining influence of the happy home in which he knew her family
fifty years ago in Pittsburg, he owes a debt of lasting gratitude.
The lesson unconsciously learned at that time had a wonderful
effect upon his morals, for he had arrived at that impressionable
age wrhen life is opening new avenues to the understanding and
creating desires of a more exalted character, and the associations
of refinement and integrity met the innate ideal of our young
hero's aspirations, and the result was more redeeming than the
Hardings ever suspected. The family was highly connected, and
in this home, where he was more of a friend and companion than
otherwise, young Rice came in contact with such of the friends
and kinsmen as the Cowens, Harmon Denny, and the Robinsons,
all of whom were people of worth and culture. Mingling as he
did with the Hardings, brought him also in friendly intercourse
wTith the officers and subordinates of the garrison, the most of
whom were intelligent, polished men, and his native spirit
yearned to meet them on an equal footing. This was an impos
sibility in the position which he held, and his proud nature felt
it most keenly, and notwithstanding the kind and considerate
treatment which he received, he sighed for a more active and ad
venturous career that would elevate him to the position he craved
among his fellow-men. But how to leave these worthy people was
the question. He could form no plausible excuse, ancl then, in his
ignorance as to the affairs at the Arsenal, he thought that having
taken a position there, he was in the condition of a soldier, so
that if he insisted upon going away he might be arrested and
incarcerated in the Black Hole, the fate of more than one de
serter, as had already come under his observation. So he pa
tiently waited for circumstances to shape themselves as to the
result of his future action. He had now been at the Arsenal
three months, and had not drawn any of his salary, but this was
to one of his thoughtless disposition a secondary consideration.
At last he made up his mind, and, ignoring his three months'
salary, left this pleasant home without announcing his departure,
and returning to Pittsburg, took refuge in his old apartments
at the Massingham stable.

While waiting for a change in the tide of affairs, by which

52 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

he could command a remuneration worth accepting, he concluded
to go and visit old friends in Marietta and also spend a brief
period at the Keppert farm, around which previous associations
hovered that were dear to his mind and heart. The young man
was welcomed with hearty cordiality by those warm-hearted
Germans who extended their hospitality as freely as on other
occasions, when the racing business called him in their vicinity,
and he occupied his old place in their midst, while they regaled
themselves with rehearsing past reminiscences of his fun-loving
propensities. Young Rice's stay in Marietta, at this time, was
characterized by a series of adventures that reminded him of
other days, and eventually was the means of forming new friend
ships that proved interesting as well as lasting.

In due time he left his old associates and returned to Pittsburg;
that offered new attractions for his vivacious nature to indulge
in and investigate.

Although young Rice had left the Hardings without receiving
his salary, he was not without money, for he always had a gener
ous deposit in the bank, and was, therefore, secured in almost
any emergency. There was at that time a wooden structure
erected on what was known as the Broadhurst lot, near the canal
on Penn Street, that was used by the showman, Sam Nicholls,
for an amphitheatre. It was now the winter season, and not
being engaged, young Rice was almost a nightly visitor to the
circus, for the horsemanship fascinated him, and the acrobatic
sports appealed to and were a part of his exuberant nature, and
very naturally, being similarly constituted, he soon became ac
quainted with the performers. It was, in reality, a star company,
consisting of Caroline Devine, who afterwards became Mrs. James
M. Nixon, Mrs. Samuel Nicholls, Mrs. Matt Buckley, Messrs.
W. W. and Horace Nicholls, Tom McCollum, James M. Nixon,
Matt Buckley, Monsieur Guillot, the Hercules and strongest man
of his day; Dave Harlin, a star rider; Hamlin, the contortionist;
and Herr Kline, the famous tight-rope performer. The clowns
of the company were George Knapp and John May. Knapp was
one of the most lugubrious clowns that ever appeared in a motley
garb, and May afterward acquired some celebrity, but unfortu
nately, finally ended his days in an insane asylum.

Under the influence of the exciting exhibitions, it did not re
quire repeated persuasion for young Rice to be admitted behind
the scenes, and upon the occasion of a benefit taken by John May,
he was induced to volunteer the ee Camptown Hornpipe," in
which, as has been previously stated, he was known to excel. On
this occasion, he was encored to repeat it until he became ex
hausted, and then his friends in the audience suggested a change
in the programme and called upon him to sing a negro song.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 53

Young Eice tried to excuse himself, alleging that he knew but
one which he did not wish to repeat, but it was all in vain, for
there was a universal chorus from the audience, " Then give us
that one." His innate modesty recoiled from giving the song in
question, which was exceedingly broad, and the last verse espe
cially would not bear repeating, but urged as he was by the con
course of people, decided at last to sing it. The mixed masses
roared and applauded, but those in the boxes testified their dis
approbation by turning their heads. This was Mr. Eice's first
introduction in connection with a circus.

CHAPTER VIII.

YOUNG RICE'S SUCCESS AS AN ATHLETE — THE FIRST OF A
SERIES OF PHYSICAL ENCOUNTERS WHICH MADE DAN
RICE'S FAME WIDESPREAD THROUGH THE COUNTRY — HOW
" DEVIL JACK " WAS TAMED — RICE'S FIRST VENTURE AS
A SHOWMAN — HIS INTEREST IN "LORD BYRON " —BY
WHOM GEORGE WASHINGTON'S NURSE WAS FIRST BROUGHT
TO NEW YORK — SUCCESSFUL TOUR OF THE " PIG SHOW "
—A SENSATIONAL DISCLOSURE CONNECTED WITH IT — LO
CALIZING HIS FIRST EXTEMPORE SONGS.

A XOTHEE era now opened in the life of Dan Eice, in which
J_A_ he felt an inclination to test the possibilities it might have
in store for him, so he made every effort to improve his mind and
prepare his physical capacities according to scientific regime. As
a beginning to those preparations, he commenced his first lessons
in gymnastics with Monsieur Guillot, the " Strong Man " of the
Nicholls Circus. His whole life had been, however, a continual
athletic exercise and vigorous exertion, no matter what its im
mediate object may be, and especially if indulged in the open
air, develops the physical man to better advantage than elaborate
gymnasium practice indoors.

Young Eice had, to a great degree, lived out of doors from the
time he was three years old, indulging in all the boyish sports that
characterized the pastimes of childhood. As he grew older, he
had his wrestling matches with boys of his own circle, and in
running, jumping, etc., he excelled many of his young friends
in powers of execution and endurance. These were some of the
methods by which his muscles were hardened, his sinews tough
ened, and the foundation laid for that astonishing physical vigor
and endurance which surprised every contestant with whom he

54: KEMINISCENCES OE DAN KICE

came in contact. Under Guillot's instruction he evinced great
aptitude, and his naturally robust frame was, by the calisthenic
exercises through which the French gentleman put him, con
verted into as powerful a human machine as any one of his day
and generation ever saw. Every one who knew Rice was aware
that whenever he was required to act upon the defensive, he
was found equal to the demands in every particular, for he never
failed to punish an overt act, and in doing so he was generally
victorious, and also secured the good opinion of those who wit
nessed the affair, and the opponent usually " buried the hatchet "
afterwards. In Bayardstown, just across the canal from Pitts-
burg, there lived a notorious barroom character called by the
opprobious nom-de-plume " Devil Jack," who, having heard of
Dan's professional powers, had boasted that he would whip him
the first time he saw him. But he was advised by John Paisley
and Roger Jeffries, two worthy young fellows, that it would be
better to let that matter alone, for he would probably be defeated
in the attempt. But being assured of his own powers and not dis
posed to credit the warning given him by the young men, he
pursued the object of his challenge and decided to test it with his
pugilistic skill. Many of the young " roughs " who regarded
Jack as their hero, also determined what they would do with
young Rice at the first opportunity. Pittsburg was a noted resort
in those days for rough characters and fighters. The river popu
lation consisting mainly of foreign element was as disorderly in
many respects as any ever known in this country, and Rice, dur
ing his residence there, had felt the necessity of keeping guarded
in his remarks if he would avoid personal encounters with the
lower element. The notorious gang who upheld Jack's su-'
premacy numbered among its leading members Coffey Richard
son, Jake Cameron, and Andy Jackson, each of whom was a
pugilist of no mean repute, but all yielding the palm of supremacy
to their chief, Jack. Young Rice having been invited, as de
scribed previously, to take part in the benefit given to John May,
one of the clowns of the Nicholls Circus, was asked with the
rest of the company after the performance to participate in re
freshments at a public house, kept by James Ashworth, an Eng
lishman, and which was a favorite resort of the circus people.
While the company was conversing, " Devil Jack," with the
members of his party, entered, and in a loud voice called out,
" Where is that Dan Rice who thinks he can whip anybody? "
Young Rice was standing at the rear of the room, and appre
hending that trouble was brewing, quietly removed his coat, and
no sooner had he done so, than Jack, who recognized him, hurled
a heavy glass at him. Our hero, being on the alert, dodged the
missile, and, unfortunately, it struck the clown, John May, a

DAfJ

THE ORIGINAL HUMORIST AS HE APPEARD IN HIS

GREAT UNION SPEECH.

f STMOINTS

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 55

terrible blow in the abdomen, and he cried out in agony, after
wards becoming insensible from the injury. Rice, in the mean
time, had assumed a crouching position, and, with a rapid move
ment towards the desperado, caught him with one hand and
struck him a terrible blow in the face with the other. Then fol
lowed an extraordinary exhibition of strength, scientifically dis
played by the young athlete. Jack was a large, burly fellow, but
regardless of his weight and strength Rice drew him to the stove,
which, as the night was very cold, was excessively hot, and firmly
held one side of his face against it. A shriek of agony from the
victim caused those who witnessed the scene to interfere and he
was rescued from the perilous situation into which his bravado
and misdemeanor had placed him and which he justly merited.
But he was marked for life by the hideous scars, and as he had
lost prestige, his friends of the lower element deserted him and
he disappeared from their enrollment as " The Bully of Bayards-
town." At the time of the encounter one of the first to desert
his old chief was Andy Jackman, who approached Dan, and, seiz
ing his hand, shook it warmly, expressing for him good-fellow
ship. He afterwards withdrew from those associations that were
surely dragging him to a condition from which eventually it
would be difficult for him to extricate himself, and subsequently
proved one of our hero's stanchest friends. He shortly after
wards married an estimable young woman, and proved himself a
devoted husband and father as well as an esteemed citizen. And
at his death, many years afterwards, he left a family of children
of whom any community might be proud to accept as worthy of
their esteem and respect.

The natural, fun-loving propensities of Dan Rice had gained
for him another step in the world of entertainment, and after
the exciting scenes at the Xicholls Circus, at which he became
very popular, his impulsive nature grasped the idea that he
could, himself, venture in a similar undertaking in a small way,
and, perhaps, at the same time, utilize the instructions of Mon
sieur Guillot by putting them to practical use.

This venture was planned and eventually executed almost
wholly for the purpose of sight-seeing and the pleasure he might
extract from such a tour. The monetary consideration to one of
his calibre was merely secondary, and with one or two compan
ions, he was ready to face the world in this new entertainment
and derive what benefit he could from the small fees he might
gather in his wanderings. In framing the final arrangements
of his plans, he decided that he would be more strongly fortified
to take the people by storming the citadel with a conspicuous
attraction, so he lost no time in laying siege to, and securing,
this novelty in the shape of a "Learned Pig," that was the

56 KEMINISCEXCES OF DAN KICE

joint possession of two conspicuous characters who had gained
some repute by their previous exhibitions of his majesty,, Lord
Byron.

Mr. Osborne, a resident of Cazenovia, N. Y., a barber by trade,
and who was afterwards the doorkeeper of the Assembly at Al
bany, owned the creature originally. Mr. Osborne was a very
intelligent old gentleman, and, as Mr. Rice has since said, " How
could he be otherwise, being an old, live Whig? " In all prob
ability his astuteness may have made some impression on the
tender mind of the four-footed wonder; for soon after its pre
cocity became noised abroad in Cazenovia, C. L. Kise, an ingen
ious Connecticut Yankee, became part owner of the pig by pur
chase. This extraordinary animal seemed destined to prove a
success, for when Mr. Kise exhibited " Lord Byron " under a
tent in the Broadhurst lot in Pittsburg, it was the result of that
exhibition that caused young Bice, pining for a new field of action
for the exercise of his genius, to mature his plans. He was con
stantly watching every available opportunity whereby he could
display his physical powers and create a name in the athletic
world. As Mr. Osborne wished to withdraw from this form of
entertainment, young Eice purchased his half -interest in the show,
Mr. Kise still remaining the owner of the other half. Before
going any further, it is due to Mr. Kise to mention in connection
with these memoirs the fact that it was he who first brought
George Washington's " Black Mammy " nurse, Joyce Heth, from
honored obscurity in old Virginia and put her on exhibition in
New York City. She was first seen in the Bowery, near the old
Chatham Theatre, and was afterwards taken at P. T. Barnum's
earnest solicitation, to the American Museum where she was in
spected for some time by the interested public. Even in that
day, Colonel Eice says, the imposture was regarded as a sort of
patriotic " fraud " which at once endeared itself to Mr. Barnum's
soul for that reason. Mr. Kise also procured for Barnum the first
" mermaid " seen on dry land, and even the " mysterious lady "
herself was the product of that gentleman's ingenuity.

In returning to our subject, we find " Lord Byron " installed
as the joint property of C. L. Kise and Dan Eice; and in the
spring of 1841, they commenced a starring tour with hopeful
expectations that the outcome would furnish to them the desired
results, namely, a monetary benefit in the case of Mr. Kise, but
merely a name for Dan Eice. This was Mr. Eice's first inde
pendent venture, but he soon became aware of the fact that in
defatigable labor attended the business, and only a strong will
and perseverance would pronounce it a success. He, therefore,
centered all his energies to establish that end, and his mind grad
ually expanded in his efforts to employ his inventive genius, and

OF DAN RICE 57

his rapid progress in later years, in that peculiar capacity, origi
nated with that little wandering band in those early days. The
" Learned Pig " undoubtedly had certain accomplishments, as he
was advertised to foretell the future, to play an invincible game
of cards, and read the Book of Fate. Mr. Kise with his happy
faculty exhibited the creature to good advantage, but the strong
feature of the show was the " Young American Hercules," Dan
Eice, with his repartee, his songs of sentiment and pathos, and
his inimitable feats of strength. Xow began that delicate, com
plicated study of human nature in which he was a natural adept;
that tenacious grasping after the hopes, sorrows, and joys of the
** plain people " which contributed so conspicuously to Colonel
Eice's success in after years. Xo item of news gathered at the
roadside while soliciting a ride with a good-natured teamster,
or gossiping with an old person at a farmhouse or an inn, was too
trivial or unimportant to be treasured in his retentive memory.
Every circumstance connected with the history of persons and
places collected in his peregrinations, no matter how remote or
small in detail, was stowed away to be utilized to an advantage
whenever, by chance, he might visit that place or come in con
tact with the individual whom it concerned. Like the gypsy, he
was always enabled to astonish some coterie or family in every
village in which the quadruped was exhibited with revelations
that savored of necromancy, and spread the fame of his lordship
far and wide. In all the well-known games of cards, the four-
footed gambler, as might have been expected, with young Rice
overshadowing the cards of both competitors, was invariably the
winner of the small coins staked by his verdant admirers. At
Jacksonville, Pa., a Mr. Spangle, an incredulous dignitary of the
church of that place, who doubted the possibility of a pig beat
ing him at " all-fours," a game that had been favorite with him
in time previous, was, the week following Eice's departure, called
before the church tribunal and suspended from his office for in
dulging in " high-low-Jack," in which he was beaten by this
pedantic grunter. So largely did Mr. Eice attribute his success
in after life to the experience he gained in this employment, that
he taught to a poodle dog he called Seth, the most plausible of
canine charlatans, the rudiments of the classic lore for which the
pig had previously been celebrated. Many readers of these pages
will recollect the advent of " Seth," from where, no one knows,
led by an old tattered beggar, under whose wig and worthless
garments was the graceful and muscular form of Dan Eice, with
a spirit ripe for any adventure, no matter how hazardous or wild.
This assumed impersonation on the part of Mr. Eice was merely
a scheme invented by him to advertise the " Pig Show." Soon
after the beginning of his tour with the pig young Eice overheard

58 KEMINISCEXCES OF DAN RICE

an allusion to a barn that had recently been burned in Greens-
burg, a small town in Western Pennsylvania, which he proposed
visiting the next day. He soon gleaned from the gossips ail the
facts with which every one was acquainted, namely, that the barn
was burned the preceding Monday night and a man named Wil
liam Gates was suspected of the crime. The appearance of Gates
was described as well as that of another person named Jaacks,
who was owner of the barn, but there was no other reason for the
suspicion of Gates excepting the fact that a quarrel had occurred
between the two men a short time previous to the burning of the
building. After reaching Greensburg the next day, Mr. Rice
placarded the place with his twelve-inch square showbills with a
picture of " Lord Byron " at the top, decked in ribbons, wig, and
spectacles and scanning what wras intended to be the " Book of
Fate." Beneath the picture was a glowing description of how
the pig foretold General Jackson's election fully six months be
fore it occurred; predicted correctly the number of children Mrs.
North would have; how long old Mrs. Jones would live; to whom
and when Miss Smith would be married; would play and win a
game of " all-fours " with the most dexterous gambler in the
place, and would expound all questions relating to the past, pres
ent, and future; besides telling who borrowed Mrs. Barker's
spoons and failed to return them, and what biped laid waste the
Wilkins chicken-house. This advertising being accomplished,
in order to prevent the suspicion of his having learned his news
from the townspeople, and partly to enhance his importance by
avoiding the eyes of the rabble, he and his inseparable companion
confined themselves to their room for the remainder of the day,
with a cabalistic curtain hung up before the window, and an unin
telligible jargon between the two whenever a servant had occa
sion to enter the room or a listener was supposed to be at the key
hole. In the evening, when young Eice and the pig made their
appearance in the tent, it was, as usual, filled with anxious specta
tors, as might have been expected with such a pig and such
strong advertisement.

The audience was evidently predisposed in favor of the pig,
so gayly was he decorated with parti-colored ribbons and so
cleanly and tidy did he appear after a toilet as carefully prepared
as the most pampered lapdog ever received from its interested
mistress.

After a few introductory remarks to the people assembled, Mr.
Rice usually gave a brief synopsis of the creature's endowments,
and demonstrated the same in a manner so novel and peculiar,
that, to the audience, the facts appeared real and tangible. On
this particular occasion he so framed his remarks that he brought
about the interesting expose of the burned building.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 59

" Now," said Mr. Rice to his Lordship, " we will see what you
know. Can you tell me what o'clock it is? "

The pig jumped with his forefeet against his interrogator and
caught the seal of his watch gently between his teeth. " Oh!
anybody can tell by looking at the watch, but I suppose you must
have your way, here it is."

The pig inspected the timepiece knowingly, and then went to
the figured cards that were laid on the platform and brought to
his master the figure seven. " Now," said Mr. Rice, " show me
how many minutes past seven," and he returned and brought to
him the number ten, signifying, Mr. Rice explained, that it was
ten minutes past seven o'clock. On submitting the watch to the
audience, behold, it was found to be correct.

" Will some gentleman," pursued Mr. Rice, " draw one of these
cards?" producing a well-worn pack. Accordingly, the six of
hearts was drawn and then returned to the pack, which was spread
face upwards on the floor. Being asked what card had been
drawn, the pig picked up the six of hearts.

" Byron, who is the greatest rogue in the room? " Everybody
moved uneasily in their seats as the animal seemingly glanced
thoughtfully over the audience, and their delight knew no bounds
when he stopped opposite Mr. Rice himself and thrust his nose
against his limbs.

" Byron, what do you deserve when you won't be washed and
combed?"

Byron ran and brought Mr. Rice's walking stick and laid it at
his feet.

" Now, ladies and gentlemen, those who want their fortunes
told will please stand up here in a row."

The verdant element, after a great deal of giggling and ban
tering, proceeded to assemble, and a score of rustic beauties
and gallants of the village advanced, while Jaacks and his
wife at that moment entered and took their seats. Mr. Rice
recognized them readily from the description he had previously
obtained, and after a mysterious conference with the pig, Mr.
Rice said, addressing Jaacks, who sat in the front row with his
aged wife:

" Your name, sir, is Jaacks, and you have come to inquire who
set fire to your barn last Monday night."

Had a torpedo been cast into the tent, it could not have pro
duced greater consternation. Jaacks alone was composed, for his
anxiety to ferret out the offender had taken the place of the
amazement he would otherwise have felt.

" Yell, who ish te tarn raschall ash purnt my parn? "

" Byron always charges ten dollars in advance for making
an important revelation like this," responded Mr. Rice.

CO KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

" Here ish de monish! Now, den, ash your pig, and if he dells
me te tarn raschall, I'll give half a tollar more."

" Well, sir, Byron, do you know who burnt Mr. Jaacks' barn? "

The pig picked up the word " yes " from the floor.

"Had he black hair?"

The pig picked up the word " no " and brought it to his master.

" Was his hair red? "

" No."

Byron then proceeded to describe the culprit accurately by
words printed on cards. " Py Got, te very man. I shall go
straight to de Justice, by Got, and sue him to jail. Now just
ash de pig if he has a scar on his eye."

Upon that hint, of course, Byron decided indubitably he had
a scar over his eye.

" Dunder and blitzen! I shall speeny te pig to de trial and Bill
Gates shall go to Benetentiary."

These remarkable revelations put all other experiments out of
the heads of the audience, who made their way in awe from the
tent.

Contradictory accounts are rife in regard to the subsequent
proceedings. On western steamboats, the story is told that Mr.
Jaacks had Lord Byron up before the Grand Jury of the county,
who were as superstitious as himself, and that a true bill was
found against Gates, on the pig's evidence, after which the pig
was held in recognizance of $1,000, to appear at the next term of
the county court, where, with his interpreter, Mr. Eice, he bore
testimony so conclusive against the prisoner that the jury pro
nounced him guilty without leaving the box, and also that Gates
was confined in the county jail a fortnight, until the lamented
Governor Shunk heard of his ridiculous incarceration and par
doned him.

The correct version of the aft'air is, that Mr. Jaacks, armed with
these portentous revelations, which were to him " confirmations
strong as proofs of holy writ," made liberal use of the pig's pre
tended truth before the grand jury, confusing his own suspicions
with Lord Byron's evidence in such a way as to make a pretty
good ex parte case, and that the grand jury adopting the general
impression of the county, some of them having been present, pos
sibly, at the exhibition, without any reasonable grounds found a
" true bill." That Gates was tried, all accounts agree, but upon
a careful examination of the archives of the Secretary of State's
office, no record of such conviction or subsequent pardon can be
found.

In the community, however, where these circumstances oc
curred, implicit faith was centered in the pig's omniscience.

It was at this period of his career that Mr. Eice first developed

EEMINISCEXCES OF DAN KICE 61

his remarkable faculty, afterwards so useful, of composing and
singing extempore songs on the topics of the hour. He had been
a boy friend of Stephen C. Foster and Morrison Foster, his elder
brother, who were the sons of the Mayor of Allegheny City.
Stephen showed in his earliest years the talent that afterwards
made him famous, and Mr. Rice, with some instructions from his
gifted chum, afterwards succeeded in accomplishing this difficult
art of song-making for himself, that he used to successful advan
tage in localizing events and portraying character. His first
effort, " Hard Times," as composed and sung on the " Learned
Pig " tour, is as follows:

HARD TIMES.

Come listen awhile, and give ear to my song,
Concerning these hard times — 'twill not take you long;
How everybody is always trying to bite,
In cheating each other, and think they do right —
In these hard times.

The landlord will feed your horse on oats, corn, and hay,
And as soon as your back's turned, he'll take it away;
For oats he'll give chaff, and for corn he'll give bran,
Still he will cry, " I'm too honest a man
For these hard times."

There is the Miller, who grinds for his toll;
He will do your work well, as he'll care for his soul —
As soon as your back's turned, with the dish in his fist,
He will leave you the toll, and himself take the grist,
In these hard times.

There is the Lawyer — he'll turn like a key —
He will tell a, big lie to gain a small fee;
He will tell you your cause is honest and right,
And, if you have no cash, he will swear you're a bite,
In these hard times.

There is the Tinker — he will mend all your ware,
For little or nothing — some cider or beer;
Before he commences he will get half-drunk or more,
And in stopping one hole will punch twenty more,
In these hard times.

62 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

The Jeweller— he works in the finest of gold,
He makes the best earrings that ever were sold;
Tells peddlers to lie, to dispel ladies' fears,
Till the verdigris eats oft' their fingers and ears,
In these hard times.

There is the Printer — he is a hard case;
You always can tell him by the brass in his face;
If you owe him a dollar, you will think it no harm,
But, if you don't fork it over, he'll lock up your form,
In these hard times.

There is the Barber, who labors for pelf;
He shaves every blockhead that can't shave himself;
A dime he will have from his friends or his foes,
Or else he will never let go of your nose,
In these hard times.

There is the Constable, who thinks himself wise;
He will come to your house with a big pack of lies;
He will take all your property and then he will sell —

Get drunk on your money — that's doing d n well,

These hard times.

There is the farmer — Oh, Lord! how he'll cheat,
With his oats, corn, and barley, and rusty old wheat;
He will thirst for a penny till he is blue at the nose,
And he'll d — n you for thanks, that's the way the world goes
In these hard times.

The priest will tell you which way you must steer,
To save your poor souls, which he values so dear;
And if he can't draw something out of your purse,
He will take off his blessing and whack on a curse,
In these hard times.

There are some Young Men, who a-courting will go,
To see pretty girls, you very well know;
The old folks will giggle, they'll squint, and they'll grin,
Crying — " Use him well, Sail, or he won't come again,
For it's hard times."

There is the merchant, his goods are the best
That ever arrived from the East or the West;
With his damaged calicoes, jews'-harps, and brass clocks,
Are quite necessary for all clever folks,
In these hard times.

WILL s. HAYS"

THE " DAN RTCE "

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 63

Now come the Ladies, those sweet little dears,
To the balls and the parties, how nice they appear,
With their whalebones and corsets, themselves will squeeze,
And they have to unlace them before they can sneeze,
In these hard times.

From father to mother, from sister to brother,
From cousin to cousin, they cheat one another;
Maids about modesty make a great rout,
And rogues about honesty often fall out,
In these hard times.

The Blacksmith says he pays cash for his stock,
Therefore it's hard for him to trust it out;
He'll sell a few shoes, and mend an old plow,
And when the Fall comes, he must have your best cow,
In these hard times.

The Doctor will dose you with physic and squills,
With blisters and plasters, and powders and pills;
Wlien your money's all spent, and your breathing most done,
The Doctor cries out — " Poor soul, you're most gone,"
In these hard times.

The Baker will cheat you in bread that you eat —
So will the Butcher, in the weight of his meat;
He'll tip up the scales to make them weigh down,
And swear it is weight when it lacks half a pound,
In these hard times.

The Tailor will cabbage your cloth and your skin —
He'll cheat and defraud you, and swear it's no sin;
Although he is honest, as all the world knows,
But he will have his cabbage wherever he goes,
In these hard times.

There are some young men who cut quite a dash;
They strut around town without a cent of cash —
With low pocket pants, and pigeon-tail coats,
And hair on their chins like a parcel of goats,
In these hard times.

At Washington City, Politicians throng —
Try various ways to make their sessions long;
Many reasons they give why they are obliged to stay,
But the clearest reason yet is eight dollars a day,
In these hard times.

64 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

The Judge on the bench is honest and true —
Hell gaze at a man,, as though to look him through;
He'll send you six months or one year to jail,
And for five dollars more he'll send you to h — 11,
In these hard times.

Now, a word for myself, before I make any foes,
There are exceptions in all trades, as all the world knows,
Although in my song you may errors detect,
I hope 'tis as good as my friends could expect,
In these hard times.

CHAPTER IX.

MR. RICE AS A POET — HIS FIRST EFFUSION IN HONOR OF
LORD BYRON — THE ONLY "READING NOTICE" HE EVER
PAID FOR IN A NEWSPAPER — ADVENTURES WITH BASIL
BROWN, WHOSE DEATH HE SO STRANGELY FORETOLD — IN
CIDENT OF COL. F. K. HAIN'S BOYHOOD — MR. RICE IN PHI
LADELPHIA — HIS DEBUT UNDER PHINEAS TAYLOR IN FEATS
OF STRENGTH — HE OBTAINS AN ENGAGEMENT WITH HOWE'S
CIRCUS BY WINNING A HARDLY CONTESTED WRESTLING
BOUT — CONTRACT WITH BARNUM — HERCULEAN STRENGTH
VERSUS AN EMPTY PUNCHEON — CHARACTERISTIC ANECDOTE
OF P. T. BARNUM — ENGAGEMENT WITH JENNY LIND'S AGENT
TO GO ABROAD.

THESE new features which Mr. Eice voluntarily introduced
in his performances and the spontaneous recognition which
greeted his efforts in this direction had a tendency to assure him
that his efforts were appreciated. And that knowledge spurred
him onward in his attempts to reach a higher standard. His
extempore speeches consisting at first of only a few well-chosen
remarks, gradually enlarged until he craved for higher subjects
that would be a source of interest to the more intelligent of his
spectators. This standard could be reached only by hard, in
cessant study, and our hero, being aware of that fact, applied him
self to a regime of mental cultivation which has occupied a long,
eventful life.

Being possessed of a powerful and retentive memory, it has
served him faithfully in all the intricate phases of his usefulness,
and never, in any instance, betrays him; therefore, he is always
prepared, even in his advanced age, for any occasion, and ade-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 65

quate to the demands made upon his social requirements without
any previous preparation. His first poetic effusion on the
'' Learned Pig " pronounced his genius in that direction to be
also in embryo,, and the following little incident in connection
with it has been related by Colonel Eice himself in later years.
During one of his interviews he remarked, " The only ' puff ' I
ever paid for in a newspaper, to use an offensive word, was poetry.
It was a poem in honor of the Learned Pig, and I paid a half-
dollar for its publication in the ' Commonwealth,' of Washing
ton, Pa., in 1841. The lines ran as follows, to the best of my
recollection:

" ' I've seen the Learned Pig. 'Tis queer
To see a hog become a seer.
He knows his letters and can hunt
The alphabet without a grunt;
Can add, subtract, and knows the rule
As well as any boy in school;
By working with his head and snout
He finds the truth without a doubt.
'Tis wondrous how a brute so low
Was taught by man so much to know! "

" Now it seemed to me," added Mr. Eice, " that the production
was worth publishing for its own sake. But the editor of the
Washington ' Commonwealth ' did not so see it. Well," with a
touch of the old-time humor, " his coffers may have been low, and
I thought his conduct equally so." From Washington, the Pig
Show departed for Claysville, Pa., and having reached that place,
made arrangements for spending the night at the stage hotel
kept by Basil Brown, a thrifty boniface. Brown's Hotel was a
well-known stop on the National Turnpike, a thoroughfare then
in the height of its glory. Nothing unusual occurred during the
night, as the performance was conducted harmoniously and the
audience was satisfactorily entertained. The Learned Pig and
his exhibitors were driven away in the conveyance next morning
to Middletown, Pa,, and as they stopped in front of the hotel at
that place, they were surprised to perceive that Basil Brown, their
host of the previous night, was there to meet them. Before they
had alighted from the wagon that contained the paraphernalia of
the show, including a chest, which, at times, was improvised into
a seat in case of an emergency, an officer appeared with a warrant
authorizing him to search the show- wagon for a stolen overcoat.
Here was a novelty entirely unlooked for and unsolicited, and
indignant as they were at the outrageous accusation, Mr. Eice and
his companions submitted willingly to the search, in the course
5

66 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

of which, however, they were both confident that the missing coat
would not be found among their effects.

As the officer was on the point of giving up the search, Brown,
all the while stood looking on with a sardonic smile. At last, he
remarked to the officer, " Look under the chest," and to the sur
prise of Mr. Eice and Mr. Kise, there the missing coat was found.
Accordingly, the whole outfit was seized, and before one word of
remonstrance could be uttered by young Eice and his partner,
they were taken back to Washington and confined in the jail.
Brown, on the way back, offered to compromise with Mr. Kise
for the sum of twenty-five dollars, and expressed a desire to pay
the costs, which Mr. Eice refused to accept, as it would not relieve
them from the stigma of dishonesty. Mr. Seth T\ Hurd, a popu
lar lawyer, was engaged to defend them, and the public interest
was aroused to a high state of excitement, for young Eice was
widely and favorably known throughout the country.

Mrs. Cadwallader Evans, a wealthy lady of Pittsburg, whose
husband invented the safety guard to prevent the explosion of
steam-boilers, was, at the time, visiting in Washington, and en
listed her sympathies in the case, as she was a friend of Mr. Eice's
and one of his patrons when he was in the livery business in
Pittsburg. This lady kindly offered to furnish bail on this oc
casion, but young Eice declined to accept it, preferring, as he
informed her, to stand trial, as he felt sure that some evidence
would be furnished to prove them both innocent without any re
flection on them. Nor was his confidence in the argument mis
taken, for the landlord of Middletown and his wife both volun
tarily appeared at the trial and testified that when Brown arrived
at their hotel at early dawn that morning, he wore a brown over
coat, and after ordering breakfast left the hotel. When he re
turned, just previous to the arrival of the young men with the
show, he had no overcoat, and they overheard him say to the offi
cer who made the search, " Look under the chest." It was
clearly proved that Brown must have employed some means for
placing the coat where it was found while young Eice and Kise
were slowly making their way to Middletown, for he knew so
well where to locate it. Mr. Hurd made an eloquent appeal in
behalf of the young men and there was a triumphant acquittal of
the prisoners. That evening, in the hotel parlor at Washing
ton, Mr. Eice celebrated the finale of the overcoat dilemma by
singing a song in mongrel verse descriptive of the whole pro
ceedings, in which Mr. Brown's name figured conspicuously, by
being used with satirical freedom. The sequel to this story
proved to be a strange one in several details. Years afterwards,
in 18G3, Colonel Eice, who was now both wealthy and famous,
took his circus to the town of Cambridge, 0., and when the place

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 67

designated for the night was reached, it was found to be
" Brown's Hotel." As Colonel Eice walked from the clerk's desk
where he had registered, to go to his room, he noticed a hand
some, matronly woman in one of the parlors looking at him with
apprehension in her eyes. She called to him softly as he was
passing and said, " Mr. Eice, spare us! Years ago my husband
wronged you, but you won't pursue your vengeance after so long
a time. We are well-to-do and respected here, and our son is a
cashier in the bank. Let bygones be bygones! " Colonel Eice
lost no time in reassuring her, but in the course of conversation,
remarked, " Madame, I am gifted with the light of prophecy. I
see disaster impending over your household; your husband's oc
cupation exposes him to many perils. If his life is not insured,
I advise you to persuade him to insure it at once." The expres
sions Colonel Eice used were not meant to distress the woman,
but were made merely to annoy her husband. This good lady, in
whom he saw, with the eyes of faith, the potentiality of a rich
and favored widow, promised to follow his advice; but a few
mornings afterwards when the stage-coach drove up to the en
trance of Brown's Hotel, the host went to assist with the luggage
and a drummer's trunk fell upon him from the top of the coach
and he was instantly killed.

Many amusing incidents have been related to the younger gen
erations by the rustic element in those Pennsylvania villages and
hamlets in connection with the Eice and Kise Pig Show, and we
select the following as it has a bearing upon the early boyhood of
the late Col. F. K. Hain, so conspicuous in the financial world of
Xew York as the esteemed and well-known chief manager of the
Manhattan Elevated Eailroad System. The circumstance oc
curred in Wormelsdorf, near Stoutville, Col. Hain's native village
in Pennsylvania, in the course of the visit of Mr. Eice and the
Learned Pig. Farmer Hain attended the show accompanied by
his little boy. Being one of the important men of the neighbor
hood, the audience felt gratified at the honor conferred when Mr.
Hain was invited to play cards with " Lord Byron," and conse
quently the game was watched with close attention. Mr. Eice's
signals to the pig consisted of snapping the thumb and finger
nails together, a process unobserved by everyone except Lord
Byron. As the animal's wonderful adaptation had created quite
a stir in the country circles, Farmer Hain's little son, being a close
observer, had not accompanied his father for mere pleasure only;
it was a visit of searching investigation as well. When he ob
served the cold, critical eye of the four-footed seer fixed on the
.cards his father held; he instantly exhibited that shrewd resource
fulness, which, in later years, so successfully characterized his
management of affairs, and cried out impulsively, " Take care,

68 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Pop; take care, the pig will beat you. He's looking in your
hand." The farmer skillfully manipulated his cards, but all to
no purpose, for the pig, having profited as everyone thought, by
the stolen glances, successfully won the game. Which fact may
be attributed, of course, to the adroitness of Mr. Eice, who,
though young in years, was one of the most skillful card-players
of the day.

The Pig Show episode was concluded in September, 1841, with
some profit, and as a controversy arose in regard to the future
possessor of " Lord Byron " he was executed after the manner of
his common brotherhood, each partner receiving his quota ac
cording to the terms or conditions of contract.

This Solomonesque partition was made in Eiter's Hotel in
Kensington, Pa., and Mr. Eice soon afterwards retired to Pitts-
burg. Thus the faithful, obedient creature was disposed of to
answer the requirements of a business controversy, and " Lord
Byron " dwells only in the shades of memory.

" The pig/' said Colonel Eice in later years, " is by no means
the most stupid of animals, and there have been Learned Pigs in
all ages. The quality of the pig, on which I mainly relied in
performing Lord Byron was his extreme acuteness of hearing.
Few animals have such keen ears. The noise of snapping one
finger nail against another was distinctly intelligible to the crea
ture and conveyed to his brain a distinct idea, to which he in
stantly responded when the cards were reached, that answered
the questions that were propounded."

The miniature enterprise consisting of the Pig Show had been
the means of giving Mr. Eice a self-confidence that he could not
have gained under better auspices, as long as he had determined
to adapt his talents to this form of entertainment as a feature of
his future professional career; therefore, his aspirations were en
couraged by his previous successes and he sought recognition
among the better class of managers, who filled the profession
with the best talent they could obtain. With his youthful mind
filled with high hopes of success, he made arrangements to leave
Pittsburg and go to Philadelphia, which city would, in all prob
ability, afford better opportunities for a desirable opening. In
taking this step, the results proved very satisfactory to our hero,
for in October of 1841, he began an engagement with Phineas
Taylor, the uncle of P. T. Barnum, in Masonic Hall on Chestnut
Street. The exhibition was called the " Battle of Bunker Hill/'
and showed a number of life-like figures engaged in combat. It
was an ingenious mechanical contrivance, illustrating the scene
of the battle with historical accuracy. Mr. Eice's part in this
show was to do "feats of strength," comic songs, and dances.
On the same evenings, in the Chinese Museum on Sansom Street

BEMINISCEXCES OF DAN KICE" 69

above Ninth, he would sing in character accompanied by the
.superior talent of Miss Rose Shaw. This accomplished lady, who
is an old friend of Mr. Rice's, afterwards became Mrs. Charles
Howard, and later Mrs. Harry Watkins; her husband being the
well-known actor and playwright of that name. She was the
youngest of the well-known and talented Shaw family who origi
nally came from England, and is also the sister of Josephine
Shaw, the theatrical star who afterwards became Mrs. John Hoey.
When the Shaw family first came to this country, they were em
ployed by Mr. Rice's father, Daniel McLaren, to entertain the
guests of the famous Pavilion Hotel and Gardens, at Saratoga,
of which he was the owner and proprietor. Gen. Winfield Scott
and others of national reputation heard them sing there. The
family consisted of three sisters and a brother.

Mr. Rice made a decided success in this, his first paid profes
sional engagement, and after two weeks he was asked to go to
the Walnut Street Theatre where Howe's Circus was perform
ing. " Uncle Nathan " Howe, S. B. Howe's elder brother, sent
Mr. Rice word that he wanted an interview, and that young
gentleman lost no time in obeying the summons at the first op
portunity. After a few preliminaries, " What about those feats
of strength of yours," asked Uncle Nathan, " are you really very
strong?" Mr. Rice answered readily that he thought he was.
" Have a chew? " Uncle Nathan asked, passing to Mr. Rice some
tobacco, and keeping his eye all the while fixed on the young
athlete's modest face. Young Rice responded in the negative;
he did not chew tobacco.

" How much a week do you want? " was the old gentleman's
next question.

" Fifty dollars," was the reply; and it was a large sum of money
in those days.

" Can you wrestle ? " asked Uncle Nathan.

" 1 am considered somewhat of a wrestler," said Mr. Rice.

" Well," the old gentleman went on, " if you can throw Joe
Gushing, I'll engage you for the circus for fifty dollars a week."
That stipend was a consideration worth risking, so the arrange
ments with Mr. Howe were completed by Mr. Rice accepting on
those terms. The news that young Rice was going to test his
prowess in the ring with the great fighter and sidehold wrestler
of Howe's Circus was soon noised abroad among the attaches. On
the occasion in question. Gushing and Rice were attired in
wrestling costume and exhibited before a large audience, con
sidering there was no charge and no time to advertise. The
first fall, side-hold, Rice won, to everybody's great surprise, and
that settled the issue satisfactorily to Uncle Nathan and he en
gaged Mr. Rice according to agreement for two weeks. In re-

70 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

gard to Gushing, it should be stated that his imprudent habits
had for the time being impaired his physical strength, and his
condition, when he took part in the contest, contributed largely
to making it a failure for him. Mr. Rice's Philadelphia engage
ments proved a drawing card before metropolitan audiences, and
when he finished his contract with Phineas Taylor, he engaged to
go to Barnum's Museum in New York, at the corner of Broadway
and Ann Street, at a salary of fifty dollars per week.

There was a dearth of attractions at the Museum at that time,
as Joyce Heth was dead, and Tom Thumb, the mermaid, and the
Fiji had not yet been discovered; and Mr. Taylor was making
strenuous efforts to educate his nephew, Mr. Barnum, to be a
showman; and it was Mr. Taylor who engaged Mr. Barnum's peo
ple and advised him generally in those days. Mr. Rice reached
the Museum the last week in December, 1841, and after the pre
liminaries regarding terms, benefits, etc., were settled, in which
Mr. Barnum's well-known aptness in bargaining shone conspicu
ously, something like the following conversation ensued: " You
say that besides all this, you can support upon your breast a barrel
of water?" asked Mr. Barnum. "Yes, sir." "Well, then, as
the old routine feats of pulling against horses, breaking hempen
ropes of thirty-six strands, etc., etc., have been exhausted by the
French Monsieurs hereabouts, we will have to make the most of
your extempore songs, negro acting, and water carrying. Of
course you can support a puncheon as well as a barrel ? "

" How pray ' of course ' ? " asked Mr. Rice. " A puncheon is
twice as heavy as a barrel."

" You are green," said Mr. Barnum. " It is easy enough. If
you can lift a barrel filled with water, you can lift a barrel
empty?"

" Of course.

" Well, supporting an empty barrel will be no greater exertion
than to support an empty puncheon — no ganger will officiously
take the measurements of the cask. In fact a pipe of 126 gallons
will tell so much better than a hogshead of 63 gallons that we may
as well try the whole hog."

" But you forget,, Mr. Barnum, that it will be necessary to call
for assistance from the audience to place the pipe upon me and
they would smell the cheat in an instant."

" Intolerable verdancy! I fear you are too soft. Listen! We
will have — let's see — four men did you say were necessary to lift
a barrel of water? We will have at least ten of our employees
seated among the audience, dressed each night in different guise,
so that when a call is made for assistance, they will after a little
persuasion and exhibition of natural diffidence, good-naturedly
step forth, and never be recognized as having done the same

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 71

manoeuvre the previous evening. This, too, will furnish us with
a couple of men to put on top of you and eight more for an
effective tableau. There's nothing like piling it on thick."

" Well, Mr. Barnum, I am green, and you are a genius! " ad
mitted Mr. Eice. The next day but one, Barnum's posters, al
ways interesting, even in the greatest dearth of novelties, loomed
up with unwonted brilliancy as follows:

AMERICAN MUSEUM!

Corner of Broadway and Ann Street,

P. T. Barnum, Proprietor and Manager.

DAN EICE,
THE YOUNG AMERICAN HEECULES,

Having executed his twelve labors west, and, like another ALEX-
ANDEE, sighing for another labor to achieve, makes his debut
here this evening in his entire round of novel characters; As the

VIEGINIA NEGRO!

He acts the negro so naturally as to shame Simon-Pure Darkeys,
so miserably do they look the negro in comparison. He will
sing a

BUDGET OF COMIC SONGS!

Founded upon matters and things occurring through the day, and
which as well as his negro songs, will be extempore. He will im
provise in metrical notes upon any subject the audience may sug
gest, and conclude with his " ASTOUNDING FEATS OF HEE-
CULEAN STRENGTH! " which have never been and probably
never will be accomplished by any other man, and have a parallel
only in

SAMSON'S CARRYING OFF THE GATES OF GAZA!

in which he will support a pipe of 126 gallons of water, with two
men standing thereupon on his breast; a weight so great that it
requires ten men with handspikes to raise the vast vessel to its
desired position."

The whole of this was surmounted by a large wood-cut, repre
senting Mr. Eice in the required position, surmounted by a pun
cheon, two men and eight subordinates, with capstan bars, who
were supposed to have raised up the puncheon to a level with Mr.
Rice's breast. Great was the excitement in Gotham and inces-

72 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

sant the demand for tickets. The audience was enchanted when
our young Hercules performed to the letter all the difficult parts
promised of him, and Mr. Barnum began to retrieve his reputa
tion for this once in exhibiting precisely what he advertised with
out any disjointed drawback. The second night the house was
even more thronged and Barnum was elated beyond measure,
congratulating himself not a little at his success in driving such
a close bargain with the " green Yankee " boy who was engaged
" for six nights only," with the provisionary clause for as many
more as " the said Barnum might desire upon the same terms."

The third and fourth nights the public seemed to be elated with
excitement, and Barnum already projected an enlargement of the
lecture-room to accommodate the hundreds that were nightly
turned away, " to his great regret that they should be deprived of
such an extraordinary sight, particularly as Mr. Eice remained
but two nights more, positively."

On the fifth night an unusually brilliant audience was assem
bled, and many who did not favor a theatre under any circum
stances made a compromise with their consciences and, under the
name of a " museum saloon," made their appearance and wit
nessed a performance theatrical in every phase, except theatrical
talent. Loud cheers greeted Mr. Eice when the curtain arose,
and were so long continued that he became weary of forcibly
bowing his acknowledgments, and almost forgot the subject that
had been sent from the audience for him to improvise on. But
he caught the inspiration from the surroundings and sent forth
in mellow measure his adroit innuendoes at everyone and every
thing in general, with a review of the " on dits " of the day.
When Mr. Eice appeared in character the audience could scarcely
realize that it was the same fine-looking performer who had left
their presence so recently, and were inclined to think it was
another hoax imposed upon them by the irresistible Barnum,
until the character created shouts of laughter by indulging in an
abandon that they easily recognized as the handiwork of the same
artist.

But it was when the curtain arose for his appearance as Her
cules that the excitement was most intense. His entire salary
for the week had been expended upon fancy tights, scarf and
sandals for this chef d'ceuvre of feats, and many an artist's eye
scanned critically the perfection of his proportions and his mus
cular and symmetrical -limbs. A huge pipe was discovered in the
background, with levers through ropes slung around it. A digni
fied bow and look of calm superiority preceded his gracefully
throwing himself backward into a bending position upon his
hands without taking his feet from the floor. Then a pale youth
in tinselled Turkish garb appeared and desired " ten strong men

KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICK

to assist in lifting the pipe." After a little natural dalliance
ten men were reluctantly persuaded to overcome their bashful-
ness and win the gratitude of the audience by stepping forth.
With measured tread, accompanying the hand-organ in the win
dow, they proceeded to take hold of the levers. Every nerve was
apparently strained to the utmost, and, the perspiration breaking
from their faces, they managed finally to raise the pipe to a
plane with Mr. Rice's breast. Gradually, and with great effort,
they lowered it carefully until it rested upon him, threatening
to crush him to the floor. At first he bent under the immense
weight, as with one hand they steadied it, until he gradually
became accustomed to the burden, while with the other hand
they brushed away the evidence of extreme exertion from their
faces.

Soon his strength reacted, and his body, that had at first
swayed with the weight, was observed to recover its equilibrium
and return to its crescent position. The levers were then re
moved, and the audience shouted and applauded. Two men,
joining their hands from opposite sides over the pipe, placed one
foot on the recumbent Hercules and simultaneously rose to
gether, standing upon him. The eight subordinates arranged
themselves in an effective tableau, leaning on their levers, four
on each side of him, their frames swelling and receding with the
hard breathing consequent upon such unusual exertion. The
house was frenzied, when, horribile dictu! as the two men stepped
down, the pipe rolled on the floor with an empty sound which
told louder than words that there was not over five gallons of
water in it.

One of the men who had stood on his breast, in getting down,
accidentally put his foot on Mr. Rice's hand, and the pain caused
him to flinch and throw the puncheon out of balance. The bung
had not been inserted, and the barrel turned so far over that
its practical emptiness was evident, and Mr. Barnum darted out
to stop the rolling of the telltale pipe, exclaiming, " By thunder!
I'm sold! "

The audience surmised at once the state of the case, and re
turned home to laugh over this exposure, while Mr. Barnum put
out the lights, ruminating upon the old adage, " There's many a
slip, etc." The next morning at ten o'clock a new poster an
nounced that

MR. DAN RICE,

In consequence of temporary indisposition,

WILL NOT APPEAR

at the American Museum

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!

74 EEMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE

Mr. Barnum was thoroughly mortified over this affair, but al
ways declared that the property men failed to fill the pipe, and
were, therefore, to blame for the fiasco. In his settlement with
Barnum Mr. Eice declined to sign a receipt in full, and in ex
planation he reminded that gentleman that when he, Barnum,
had been arrested in Pittsburg a year or two previous for sur
reptitiously removing his own luggage from the Grant House,
Mr. Rice, then in the livery business, had come to Mr. Barnum's
rescue. The showman, accompanied by a celebrated jig-dancer,
Johnny Diamond, was fined seven dollars, the hotel bill and
costs, in Squire McMasters' court. Young Rice had followed
the crowd in the controversy to hear the proceedings, and, seeing
Mr. Barnum's plight, in his great-hearted, good-natured way, he
relieved him from his position by advancing the seven dollars
which covered the amount required.

Mr. Barnum at once remembered this generous act when Mr.
Rice alluded to it in New York, and, handing him a twenty-
dollar gold piece, remarked, " There, my boy, there's principal
and interest/' Mr. Barnum was anxious to re-engage Rice, but
he declined, as he had formed a new engagement which would
take him across the ocean as an entertainer.

Mr. Winton, an amusement agent, was in the States at that
time looking after the united interests of Jenny Lind and Mr.
Robert L. Fillingham, the English purveyor. While looking
around, in his business capacity, he saw that Mr. Barnum was
fast gaining the reputation of being in the supremacy in the
realm of his pursuits, and, recognizing the fact that Jenny Lind
would be a brilliant star in this venture, he went to Mr. Barnum
for the purpose of advancing her interests, but taking great care
to conceal the fact that he was her special agent. He made a
private contract to secure the lady if Mr. Barnum would advance
him ten per cent, of his share of the entire gross receipts, to which
Mr. Barnum agreed, and thus the bargain was made and sealed
as Mr. Winton desired. And Barnum failed to see the possibili
ties of the situation until it was too late. Mr. Winton thus re
ceived a double percentage by his shrewd adjustment of the cir
cumstances. It was at this same period that he engaged Mr.
Rice in the interest of Mr. Fillingham for twenty weeks at one
hundred dollars a week, including his expenses, as he had wit
nessed his feats of strength, etc., at the American Museum, and
on Mr. Winton's return to England Mr. Rice accompanied him to
fill his contract with Mr. Fillingham.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 75

CHAPTER X.

MR. RICE'S ARRIVAL IN" EUROPE — COMMENCES A STARRING
TOUR — FLATTERING ATTENTION PAID "THE YOUNG AMERI
CAN HERCULES " — CORDIALLY RECEIVED BY PATRONS AT THE
FOREIGN CAPITALS — PERSONALLY INTERVIEWED BY KING
WILLIAM OF PRUSSIA— QUEEN ISABELLA'S FAVORITE — HER
DEMOCRATIC INTRIGUES — WARNED BY THE AMERICAN CON
SUL TO LEAVE BARCELONA — A SHIP DETAINED SO THAT
THE ERRATIC SOVEREIGN'S LATEST CAVALIER MIGHT RETURN-
IN SAFETY TO NEW YORK — MR. RICE'S RETURN FROM
EUROPE — COMMENCES A TOUR IN THE UNITED STATES — DIS
PLAYS FEATS OF STRENGTH IN NEW YORK IN 1842, AND
VISITS OTHER CITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY — AN IN
GENIOUS INCIDENT CONNECTED WITH A MEMBER OF THE
LEGISLATURE AT HARRISBURG — CONTINUED SUCCESSES IN
DIFFERENT PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.

OUR young hero was now fairly launched upon the sea of
success, and the name he had sought in so many unsuccess
ful efforts was at last in his possession, and his life from this time
on was destined to be a continuous round of applause that fol
lowed him on both sides of the Atlantic. No future effort that
he made, when once he became recognized in the world of enter
tainment, but unfolded a wealth of advantage for his almost
charmed life. Experience enriches with practical lessons every
phase in life, and creates an education by its own contrasts with
out the preparatory accomplishments of theory; but when both
are combined, a precocious mind is fortified for the inevitable
obstacles that are strewn in the path of life's destiny. Thus it
proved in the life of Dan Rice in the subsequent adventures that
gave breadth to his developing character and enlarged his views
by critical contrasts. After perfecting his plans for his journey,
Mr. Rice, in company with Mr. Winton, sailed from New York
to England early in 1842, and spent five months in giving his
entertainment in London and other important cities, and also in
Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dublin. He spent some time in Paris,
and also visited Alenna, Berlin, Madrid, and Barcelona. It was
at the last series of exhibitions in Barcelona that Mr. Rice at
tracted the favor of that remarkable woman, Queen Isabella of
Spain, that personage then being in the first flush of her charms.
Barcelona was reached in the early autumn, and was the last city

76 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

on the tour. No American entertainer had as yet had the hardi
hood to visit the country of the hidalgos, and the arrival of Mr.
Rice created the nearest approach to a sensation of which the
stately demeanor of the nation was capable. On the occasion of
the opening night Queen Isabella came to the Royal Theatre, as
it was her custom to do on " first nights," and occupied the royal
box. Perhaps her intriguing propensities were in this instance
employed for the purpose of improving the personnel of her
army, for she was ever on the alert for recruits of stalwart phy
sique and handsome personal proportions. In young Rice she
seemed to think she had found an additional attraction. The
applause from the royal box during the performance was an
unusual incident which attracted universal attention, and the
audience therefore applauded more vigorously. Assuming one
character after another, the young American looked, in every
instance, the roles he impersonated of Hercules, Ajax, Apollo,
and Milo, and the next morning all Barcelona was commenting
on the appearance of the young athlete and his exhibitions. After
the curtain had fallen on the evening's pleasure Mr. Rice was
summoned to the royal box and presented to the queen. She re
ceived him most graciously, and was disposed to question him as
to his family, his history, and his marvellous strength, which she
declared she desired tested in private. In arranging the hour for
the private interview she presented to Mr. Rice a rose from her
corsage bouquet, requesting him to keep it until they met again.
The meeting was not long deferred, for scarcely had Mr. Rice
arrived at his hotel before an equerry from the royal apartments
was announced, with an invitation for him to come to the queen
and partake -with her at lunch. He prepared himself for the
occasion, for such an invitation from such a source was tanta
mount to a command, and on his arrival was surprised to find that
the lunch party consisted only of Queen Isabella and himself.
The lady, after dismissing her private attendants, received her
guest with a democratic simplicity rarely revealed under similar
circumstances on this side of the Atlantic; therefore Mr. Rice
was, in a short time, as much at ease as if he were being enter
tained by one of his own countrywomen. Her English, though
defective, was not unintelligible, while Mr. Rice's Spanish con
sisted merely of expressive gesticulation. The situation being
entirely unsought on the part of Mr. Rice, was a source of private
amusement to his venturesome undertaking, but the lady did not
close the interview until after the early morning hours had ad
vanced, when she herself summoned the equerry to reconduct
her new favorite to his hotel. Mr. Rice was as verdant as any
young man of his age who had led his adventurous life could be,
but he did not, in his wildest dreams, aspire to posing in the eyes

11EM1NISCEXCES OF DAN RICE 77

of the Spanish people as even an ally to royalty. The next even
ing, and still the next, he was summoned to lunch with Isabella,
and sat in her boudoir partaking of the tempting viands, listen
ing to her Castilian English and indulging in private comments
as to the object of this curious woman, the first in the realm, in
conducting herself on such democratic principles that were so
foreign to the demands of court life. But historical revelations
have since solved the problems of this human enigma, at which
the eyes of all Europe have looked with undisguised scorn. The
queen was a good judge of wine, but with all her efforts at in
triguing she could not succeed in persuading Mr. Eice to take
anything stronger than coffee, as he informed her that it inter
fered with his feats of strength, and he was obliged to keep in
training. The results were invariably the same at each inter
view, and, when she dismissed him, she summoned the same
equerry to conduct her guest to his hotel in a carriage. On the
morning of the fourth day after the exhibition at Barcelona Mr.
Rice was surprised to receive a personal call from the American
consul, who invited him to drive to the consulate. When that
gentleman first entered Mr. Bice's apartments his face wore an
anxious expression, as if he would not have been surprised to
find our hero missing, and he so expressed himself. In the
course of conversation with the young performer at the consulate
he remarked, " You would not like an army life here, I think."
" I do not think so," said Mr. Rice in reply. " Well," continued
the gentleman, " judging from what I have heard about the fate
of Queen Isabella's favorites, an army life is about the most agree
able thing that ever befalls them. Sometimes they are not seen
again after their consignment to the military ranks. Listen to
my advice, which I hope you will act upon, for it may save you
from serious complications. The Espanola, a Spanish ship bound
for New York, is to sail to-morrow. I will see her captain and
use my influence to have her hold over until you can arrange
your affairs to sail home on her. Don't you think you had better
do it? " There was some disposition on the part of Mr. Rice to
evade the responsibilities of his position, as he had formed an
other appointment with her majesty, but wisely considering the
advice of the consul, he closed his performance that night and
sailed the next morning, without apprising any one of his inten
tions, the arrangement having previously been consummated by
the consul for an urgent passenger. So ended an international
romance.

Queen Isabella at that period was a stout and rather fine-look
ing young woman, with a penchant for bestowing gifts upon those
whom she favored. Upon persuading Mr. Rice to accept some
token from her, he selected only a heavy braided silken fillet,

78 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

which was used in tying her abundant black hair. All other
gifts, both costly and rare, which she persistently thrust upon
him, he invariably refused, but the fillet he kept for a short time
as a memento. The lady's tender recollections of Mr. Rice,
which he also shares, will be shown later on in the circus experi
ence.

Queen Isabella was not the only sovereign who manifested a
personal interest in Mr. Rice. King William of Prussia, after
ward the beloved Emperor of Germany, while on a visit to the
Austrian court, on the occasion of Mr. Rice's opening in Vienna,
attended the exhibition and sat in the royal box. He sent for
the hero of those herculean feats of strength after the perform
ance, and inquired personally if he really did raise two thousand
one hundred pounds dead weight or whether it was all a trick,
to all of which questions it was a pleasure for Mr. Rice to reply.
And we may safely judge that he was becomingly elated when
the king and his private officers admired his physical proportions
and commented freely on the athletic performances in which he
Is bored to excel.

The wily intrigues of the Spanish queen being foiled by the
timely intervention of our worthy American consul, Mr. Rice
arrived in New York in due time without any further adventure,
and having occasion to feel grateful, as he has since expressed,
for his fortunate escape from a bondage that would probably
have resulted seriously.

About this time the arrival in the United States of M. Paul,
the French Hercules, directed popular attention specially toward
manifestations of physical prowess. Mr. Rice's whole life and
training had tended to make him one of the strongest men of his
time, a discovery he had not been slow to make, and his reputa
tion as a modern Hercules was now established in Europe as well
as in America, and he adapted himself accordingly. The
" Learned Pig " tour had given him the zest of popular applause,
the love of being with and among people, a social characteristic
even to the present time, and he had become an adept in manag
ing public assemblies, no mean coadjutor in the success of show
men.

So, on his return to New York, he retraced the ground over
which he had passed. Thousands who had suspected collusion
between the " Learned Pig " and its master would rush to see
the same youth pull against four horses, particularly as the per
mission contained in the bills that the audience might furnish
the horses precluded the possibility of an illicit understanding.
Other similar feats now, from their frequency, exciting little
surprise, were then exposed first to the bewildered eyes of the
public.

RICE IN COSTUME OF STAI5S AND STUIPES AT NEW ORLEANS, 1861

EEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 79

His old employer, Phineas Taylor, still had his "Battle of
Bunker Hill " show in Broadway, and prevailed upon Mr.
Eice, immediately upon his arrival in New York, to play an en
gagement of two weeks, which he did successfully to crowded
houses.

On his tour west from the metropolis he had a remarkable ad
venture at Harrisburg. The legislature was in session, and a
highly exciting political debate engrossed so completely public
attention that his exhibition did not draw. Even the introduc
tion of a set-to with George Kensett, the famous pugilist, who
was sojourning for a few days at the Pennsylvania capital, did
little toward replenishing his coffers. The next day, when the
vexatious debate had reached his climax, in which personal in
vective made a resort to arms not improbable, and a few lessons
from Eice and Kensett not undesirable, the hotels and corridors
were plastered with a placard announcing " to the citizens of
Harrisburg and the members of the legislature, another exhibi
tion of the

NOBLE AND MANLY AET OF SELF-DEFENCE!
Interspersed with Songs, Comic, Ethiopian, and Sentimental,

to be concluded with a
PASSAGE AT AEMS AND SET-TO
Between Mr. Eice and the Distinguished
MEMBEE OF THE LEGISLATUEE!

Who desires his name to be withheld until he enters the lists,
when of course all will recognize him, and learn those most un
pleasant circumstances which have, in his opinion, rendered it
his duty to resort to the practice and learning of this mode of
warfare."

What the singer and boxer could not do the " distinguished
member of the legislature " did do — he filled the house to over
flowing. Members of both houses of legislation and politicians
anticipated some rich exposure, from the hints thrown out in
the placard. A resolution was almost carried tendering to the
two distinguished boxers the use of the assembly chamber for the
proposed sparring exhibition. The hall was crowded to its ut
most capacity with ladies longing to see the handsome " Her
cules " — and dreaming of the days of chivalry and tournament.
The politicians came, more out of curiosity than anything else,
to see what member of the legislature was going to make a spec-

80 REMINISCENCES OP DAN RICE

tacle of himself. The programme was carefully gone through
down to the last act, viz:

A SET-TO BETWEEN A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLA
TURE AND MR. DAN RICE.

Here of course the whole audience were upon the qui vive.
After a few moments,, which suspense magnified into an hour,
Mr. Rice stepped forth attired in the most approved fashion, and,
after bowing, with a glance around the room, stood as if in ex
pectation. Soon he assumed an indignant mien and, stepping
toward the audience with another bow and with the air of an
injured man, said:

" Ladies and Gentlemen: I had trusted that at this late mo
ment the coming forward of the gentleman whose appearance was
announced this morning would save me from the humiliating
necessity of making an apology. Though surprised at his non-
appearance when the entertainment began, I trusted he was for
tifying himself for the set-to and would now redeem his engage
ment. I did not believe a man who enjoyed the confidence of the
citizens of one of the richest counties in the State would conde
scend to practise this vile imposition upon you and upon me.
Such unworthy conduct shall not succeed, and if he is now among
you, I warn him to retrieve himself by coming to the scene of
action at once, or impose the humiliating self-infliction of apolo
gizing to the audience."

Here a dozen voices shouted "His name! His name!" "Give
us his name! "

Then continued Mr. Rice:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, have charity enough to hope he is
ill, or has been unexpectedly called away, and therefore I must
beg of you the indulgence of being permitted to withhold his
name until to-morrow morning. Then, if he does not see fit to ac
count to you forthwith for this strange proceeding, I pledge you
my word and honor" — here followed a deferential bow that
would make the fortune of an office-seeker or dancing master —
" to publish his name. What more than this to say I do not
know. I have been cruelly deceived, and am overwhelmed with
my painful situation."

" No matter, Dan; " " Publish the rascal to-morrow, Dan," and
" Serve him right," " Don't "be frightened, Mr. Rice " (from a
lady), " We are all satisfied," proceeded simultaneously from half
the people present, and all arose and noiselessly left the room,
wondering who could be the recreant member.

That night a dozen choice spirits from both houses of the legis
lature, who for several days before had thrown aside politics and

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 81

deserted their seats, on discovering the mine of fun Mr. Rice
afforded, were speechless with laughter when our hero explained,
what the reader had doubtless expected, that the honorable mem
ber of the legislature existed only in his imagination, and was
an ingenious device to procure the means for such suppers as
they were then eating. The next morning, of course, the
story went broadcast, and the laughter on all sides, like oil upon
water, arrested the angry discussions among the sages at the
Capitol.

The tour thereafter was successful, and Mr. Eice played in the
Pittsburg Theatre, owned by the Simpsons; in Shire's Garden,
managed by William Shire; in Cincinnati, on the site of what is
now the Burnet House; in Louisville, at the Jefferson Street
Theatre; in St. Louis at Ludlow & Smith's old St. Louis Theatre,
and so also to Quincy, Nauvoo, and the Western circuit.

CHAPTER XL

RICE AS A REVIVALIST— HIS ADVENT AMONG THE MORMONS —
ASSUMES THE ROLE OF PREACHER AND MAKES CONVERTS
FOR THE FAITHFUL — JOSEPH SMITH'S MIRACLE AND HOW
MR. RICE DEFEATED IT — MR. RICE NARROWLY ESCAPES EX
TREME MEASURES AT THE HANDS OF CITIZENS OF MONTROSE
—DIFFICULTIES ADJUSTED BY A HAPPY COMPROMISE — CON
TROVERSY BETWEEN MR. RICE AND SMITH REGARDING
FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT — THE MORMON PROPHET WALKING
ON THE WATER — LUDICROUS RESULTS — MR. RICE AGAIN A
SHOWMAN — POSES AS A MESMERIST — HYPNOTIZES A HOSTLER
AND THUS DEFEATS A RIVAL — THE NOVEL WAY IN WHICH
HE PAID HIS LICENSES AT DAVENPORT AND ROCK ISLAND
—AMUSING SEQUEL.

"VTAUVOO, ILL., the home of the Mormons, was then in its
-LN palmy days, and some ten thousand souls were held in
spiritual subjection by the "prophet," and at this place, Mr. Rice
rightly calculated, was an abundant field for his labors. He
argued, reasonably enough, that in a community where the trans
parent pretexts of Joseph Smith were swallowed with avidity, his
apparently superhuman accomplishments might well make him
f am OUR, particularly as the lucky thought occurred to him that
he and Smith would make a pretty strong team professionally.
Joseph Smith readily grasped at a chance for a new miracle, now
6

82 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

that his old dodges had become somewhat stale, and his flock
thirsted for some new manifestations of divine partiality. He
easily yielded to Mr. Rice's terms for a copartnership, which
involved an equal distribution of the spoils arising from the con
nection, and it was not hard to demonstrate, to such an in
genious schemer as Smith, that they could be made something
handsome.

Mr. Rice did not demur to the stipulation in the arrangements
that the elect should redound to the sole use and behoof of the
" prophet/' as he had received sufficient evidence that such was
the intention of the proprietor of the Nauvoo mansion, of which
the " prophet " was the landlord, and in that way Mr. Rice was
enlightened, as he was constantly with him. But what were
those remarkable feats of strength which were heralded to the
elect as -miracles? Mr. Smith was too old a practitioner to be
caught with flimsy material; besides, he would not enter into this
compact without testing Mr. Rice's powers in private, to which
exhibition of his skill he was perfectly willing. At the rehearsal
in the presence of the " prophet " two horses were called into use,
and were unable to dislodge " The Modern Samson " from a
workbench upon which he had hastily fastened himself; nor could
the " prophet " break with a sledge the back doorstep of stone
which, with the assistance of his wife, he managed to place on
Mr. Rice's abdomen as he extended himself on all fours. The
" prophet " was in ecstasies, which were by no means lessened
by our hero's catching up the tongs as he again entered the room
and, on his bare arm, bending the double irons into a semicircle.
This last feat Mr. Rice threw in for effect, and Smith and his
wife, in alarm, began to intercede for the rest of the furniture,
not doubting but that he would pull the building down about
their heads. Here was a California mine for Smith, out of which
he would be able to replenish his exhausted treasury, impose a
tax in a less obnoxious form than a direct levy, and rivet his hold
on the blind confidence of the people in a manner that would
thereafter make it blasphemy to question his direct communica
tion with the Almighty.

In two hours, as might have been expected with two such able
projectors, their plans were matured. It was noised about that
the morrow would bring a new and still more imposing evidence
of the "prophet's" divine endowments — that a poor wayfarer
had been guided by the spirit to go to him and say, " Behold
your unworthy servant! The Spirit has admonished me at
divers times and in sundry places to proceed to the ' prophet '
of the faithful and submit myself to his guidance. Moreover,
the Spirit commands me to say, ' In me shall be fulfilled
miracles! And whatsoever thou commandest thy servant to do,

•REMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE 83

even to the performance of acts impossible to man, it shall be
done/ r-

The " prophet " himself proclaimed from the foot of the tem
ple, which had already progressed above its foundations, that at
12 o'clock the next day this ministering agent from the Al
mighty would appear as an humble instrument for the manifesta
tion of divine power, to encourage the faithful in their labor on
the temple, and that all the city on such a memorable occasion
should contribute twenty-five cents. Mr. Eice here quietly sug
gested to Smith the advisability of admitting children at half-
prico. " Children, too," the " prophet " added, after a little
hesitation, " might be imbued with the holy spirit, upon the
contribution of twelve and a half cents, and come in to see these
miracles."

Dense was the throng in front of the temple as the hour ap
proached. On his way up from the tavern Mr. Eice observed
that all the houses appeared to be disgorging their occupants;
from this he foresaw a harvest that would mark a new era in his
financial affairs, to say nothing of Smith's spiritual career. The
" prophet's " Council meanwhile, prudently unaware of the pro
posals of the prophetic humbug, marked his mysterious prepara
tions with anxiety. The ladies eyed him askance, and without
any hesitancy openly admired his manly proportions and muscu
lar appearance. The thousands of spectators who gathered,
awaiting with breathless interest the phenomenon, were prepared
to see any improbable miraculous manifestation, even, almost, to
the descent of Jehovah himself in a cloud of flame. A storm
hovered portentously over the horizon as the crowd proceeded,
in awe, to deposit their quarters in the " Baptismal Font," hewn
out of solid stone and guarded by the " prophet " himself. This
financial operation finished, Mr. Eice and the " prophet " stepped
forth together; a deep silence prevailed, uninterrupted even by
the cries of the children, who could be counted by hundreds,
their deluded parents trusting that, perchance, they might brush
the hem of the divine agent's garments.

A hundred willing workmen, at the " prophet's " command,
brought forth a ladder, trestles, and a pair of dray horses which
had been in use in the construction of the temple.

The ladder, being firmly fastened, horizontally, to the trestles,
with Mr. Eice extended at full length, his hands and feet firmly
fixed on the rungs, the horses were attached to a rope which
Smith had brought coiled about his arm, and which was now
adjusted to the shoulders and the loins of this new proselyte
to Mormonism. At the signal the powerful horses extended
their traces and, leaning in their collars, made a noble effort to
tear Mr. Eice from his fastenings, which, it is hardly necessary

84 EEMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE

to say, they would have succeeded in doing had they not been
compelled to pull at a disadvantage.

But for the awe that, at the manifestation of the spirit, con
strained them, the whole mass would have fallen down and wor
shipped the " prophet/7 who was supposed to have conferred this
great power upon the young man.

At another command, a score of hands were extended with
alacrity to place a building stone upon Rice's breast as he as
sumed the familiar position, and a pair of stalwart mechanics
soon broke the stone into fragments with their ponderous sledges.
Then, shaking off the debris, he nimbly resumed his upright posi
tion, the rocks rolling from him on either side.

In another moment a bar of inch iron was brought from the
smithy of the temple and bent nearly double across the naked arm
of the youthful giant, protected as it was by the knotted muscles,
now contracted in rigid tension.

With the same expedition a strong rope was detached from the
hoisting tackle used in the temple, one end secured around a
vast pile of building stone and the other to Mr. Rice, as he again
extended himself on the ladder, still firmly resting on trestles.
Rung by rung, he slowly advanced in this hempen collar until,
reaching the far end of the ladder, the rope could stretch no
more, and parted like flax.

This was the climax to the day's wonders, and the infatuated
crowd returned to their houses to commune about the miracles
and glorify their " prophet." Mr. Rice, with Smith, repaired to
the sanctum of the latter in the hotel, where the receipts of the
exhibition had been previously sent, but which had mysteriously
diminished since being deposited in the font, so Mr. Rice thought.
He received for his share six hundred dollars, not, however, with
out being obliged to threaten the " prophet " with a little private
exhibition of his strength for pretending to compute the half of
twelve hundred to be five hundred. The evidence of Rice's
powers that day had been too palpable to permit Smith long to
persist in such a dangerous mathematical error.

From this moment the " prophet " perceived that Mr. Rice was
a shining light who could not be dispensed with in his cabinet
especially, for the " prophet " found that he could not only sing
a capital song and crack jokes by the hour, which no one enjoyed
better than Smith, but he could also preach with a zeal and
fervor that was calculated to bring hundreds into the fold of
this great shepherd. At the same time they commenced a run
ning account of money and sentiment, in which Rice, indeed,
was imprudent enough to suffer himself to be the greatest cred
itor, with the ultimate hope that by some coup de main he could
aspire to the same exalted position as was enjoyed by his able

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 85

coadjutor. For lie was now sure of the unlimited control he
could easily gain over this body of fanatics. Feigned revela
tions were daily made in connection with occult practices that
would have consigned him to the stake in the reign of Xew
England witchcraft, and in these he brought to bear an intimate
knowledge of chemistry and of legerdemain, as well as tact in
controlling an audience.

It was not long before Smith began to apprehend serious re
sults following Mr. Rice's increasing influence, and thought it
expedient to dispatch him on a pilgrimage to Iowa, to make
proselytes, under the plausible pretext that no one else could
undertake the task with such a prospect of achieving it. Mr.
Rice met with great success in his role as preacher until he
reached Montrose, just across the river from Xauvoo. There
he performed his " miraculous feats of strength " after a sermon,
which made a powerful sensation.

But several St. Louis merchants, who were returning from
the Eastern States, where they had witnessed M. Paul's perform
ances, exposed the pretended Mormon's miracles. This so ex
asperated the crowd, many of whom had subsequently assisted
in driving the Mormons out of the State of Missouri, as Governor
Reynolds' murder had been charged to their account, that in the
short time required for such proceedings in that country a suffi
ciency of tar and feathers and a reasonably angular rail were
prepared. Our hero's danger was most imminent. He was in
the hands of those who felt no particular compunctions about
administering such doses on account of his assumed clerical ap
pearance. The multitude surrounded him too effectually to
afford any prospect of success in an attempt at flight. He felt
that he could overpower a dozen of the strongest, but to be vic
torious with a multitude would be a veritable hecatomb. His
active mind, cool even during these intimidating proceedings,
at once decided that tact and ingenuity alone could save him.
Confidence in himself imbued him with courage to trust to diplo
macy. " Let me sing you a song," he shouted, " and afterward
do your pleasure with me! " Being thus urged, they halted in
their proceedings. " A song from the Mormon, a song from the
preacher! " was satirically echoed on every side.

Mounting the top of the tar barrel, so as to obtain a view of the
whole assemblage — for in the disturbance he had been forced
from his temporary pulpit — he commenced improvising a comic
song, narrating with such irresistible humor how he had
duped the Mormons, and dwelling so pathetically upon his
ridiculous situation, that long before he had hoped to succeed
the whole multitude joined with him in the singing, each person
having already mentally decided to forgive him. The music and

bG KEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

the rhythm were probably not so mellifluous as the extempore
songs with which he has since regaled his audiences., but were the
more effective upon his rough auditors for being so unpolished.
An eyewitness now residing in Keokuk describes the scene as
most exciting. Each man present, unconscious of the determina
tion of his neighbor to save the recent object of their vengeance,
began to feel almost as much concern as Mr. Rice himself had
lately felt. But Eice, however, who could read their faces, and
had already discovered his safety in their plaudits, ceased singing
for a moment to tell them, if they would carry away that ugly
rail, barrel of tar, and basket of feathers, he would give them an
extempore show.

There was no disguising the fact that they had a jolly time,
and the people dispersed pleased with the performance, and
Mr. Eice with a feeling of gratitude that his tact had preserved
him from the humiliating ordeal that so nearly proved being a
reality. This episode, happening so near Nauvoo, must, in the
course of events, reach the Mormon " prophet " very soon, so
Mr. Eice crossed the river at once and hastened to Smith's house
to demand a settlement, not only of money loaned, but of his
salary as preacher at fifty dollars per month and expenses. His
pretext for the settlement was the auspicious opening to make
a new start and gain converts along the borders of Missouri and
Iowa. Mr. Eice subsequently learned that Smith had been prac
tising many expedients during his absence to regain his tottering
sway as the only worker of miracles. One of these was to be per
formed on some indefinite morning yet undecided, when, at sun
rise, he was to walk for fifty yards on the waters of the Mississippi.
Mr. Eice found the Mormon prophet ready to receive him on
his arrival. Little averse to a rupture with our hero now that
he had advertised a miracle to be performed by himself, Smith,
on this occasion, carried his false computations into practice with
success, and cheated Mr. Eice shamefully in that settlement.
But as he could not hope to meet Smith alone and secure a proper
adjustment, he was fain to express himself satisfied with the por
tion of the consideration offered by Smith, determining eventu
ally, however, to get even. This idea of walking on the water,
had been, in fact, a plan of Mr. Eice's, suggested by him to the
prophet on his first arrival, and was to be effected by the con
struction of a narrow, raised gangway of planks placed ankle-deep
under the water so as not to be detected, and he had no doubt
but that sudh was the way in which Smith proposed to accomplish
this newly advertised miracle. Early in the afternoon of the
day preceding that finally decided upon for the feat to be ac
complished, Mr. Eice was ferried over to Montrose, ostensibly on
his mission to Missouri. In the course of the night, however.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN 1UCE 87

he returned stealthily,, and with a skiff rowed out into the river,
and, groping where the platform was laid, took up and carried
away a section of thirty feet from the shore. The next morning,
in his high-priestly robes, the prophet walked out to the river
brink in the presence of an immense concourse of people. The
great miracle was again announced with imposing ceremony, and
he started out to walk on the water. The crowds of people from
the entire city had been waiting patiently since early dawn in
eager anticipation. Mr. Eice, far out in the stream, and in dis
guise, sat in a small boat watching the ceremonies. It had been
originally arranged between Eice and Smith that the prophet
should walk out thirty-five paces, counting as he went, so as not
to come to the end of the submerged gangway unexpectedly.
Confidence was apparent on his visage as the prophet made his
thirtieth step, when the section Mr. Eice had eliminated failed to
support his holy feet and he went down into the depths of the
icy flood. A universal shout of surprise went up from the crowds
on the shore, but Mr. Rice's peals of laughter were distinctly
audible as he rowed back to Montrose. The Mormon prophet
being speedily rescued by his followers from his perilous situa
tion, he suffered the humiliation of having this so-called miracle
exposed by the practical joke of a man who had taken desperate
chances of opening the eyes of a deluded following to a sense of
the hallucinations under which they were laboring for the ag
grandizement of their peculiar religious calling.

On escaping from his Mormon surroundings, Rice the preacher
became a showman again and took the first boat down the Mis
sissippi to the town of Quincy, 111. Here, after engaging the hall
over a cooper shop which had been prepared for amateur per
formances, he dispensed with his conventional garb and donned
the necessary paraphernalia for his legitimate business. In vain,
however, did he put out his most attractive bills and insert the
most glowing cards in the weekly journal, for Professor Boone-
ville was lecturing there on Animal Magnetism, and engrossed
the public attention. The first night our hero's audience con
sisted merely of himself, his doorkeeper and fiddler, three families
who had complimentary tickets, and a ragged urchin who had
begged in at half-price.

At this rate the season was likely to be most disastrous in a
financial way and his inventive genius was sorely taxed to coun
teract the " Magnetic Booneville " current so strongly set in
against him, so the following day the village was thrown into
unusual excitement. The streets were placarded with an an
nouncement that Mr. Rice, in addition to his already ad
vertised feats to numerous to mention, which were performed
to the

88 REMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

"DELIGHTED ELITE!

Of Quincy last night, will to-night

EXPOSE MESMERISM!

And the charlatanism of

PROFESSOR BOONEVILLE,

And by a new science,, much more wonderful and practical
than ANIMAL MAGNETISM

Make in one minute a
PAIR OF SHOES WORTH ONE DOLLAR! "

Consternation seized the professor and great was the excite
ment among the beau monde. At seven o'clock Mr. Rice's doors
were thronged., and at half-past seven he had the pleasure of see
ing the professor himself come down the street and buy a ticket,
a sure evidence that this time it was the professor's turn to have
deserted rooms. After a running address, with practical illus
trations and herculean feats, he proceeded to say:

"Ladies and Gentlemen: I have prefaced my evening's enter
tainment with a selection of novelties that I see you are pleased
with, but as humbugging is all the rage, I could not finish the
evening without giving you a spice of its quality. I am now
about to make a pair of shoes in one minute, worth a dollar."

He produced a pair of boots, cut them off at the ankle, and,
making an incision down the front, with a punch made holes and
placed strings therein, all the while talking.

Which operation being completed, he held them up to the
inspection of the audience with the remark, " And I appeal to
you if I have not so far redeemed the pledge I made in the bills
this morning? I will proceed to expose human magnetism.
Come here, Patrick/' This summons was addressed to the
hostler of the Quincy House, who was Booneville's best subject,
whom Mr. Rice had bribed during the day for two dollars, twice
the amount the professor gave him. A sensation was per
ceptible in the professor, as well as in the audience, when Patrick,
who was well known, stood up. Pat had been unquestionably
magnetized by the professor, and was not cunning enough to con
spire with anybody. When Mr. Rice placed him upon the stage
he had not yet settled in his mind how he, Rice, would ridicule
the professor's science, but trusted to his wits, which had never
yet failed to get him creditably out of a dilemma. After a few
preliminary passes and manipulations, done precisely as he had
seen Booneville do, Pat closed his eyes and was pronounced

BEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE 89

asleep. Then in imitation of the professor, Mr. Rice went
through many amusing evolutions, himself surprised more than
any one else at Pat's ready obedience and in a quandary as to the
successful ending of the burlesque. He was half inclined to
believe himself that he had somehow unconsciously imbibed this
subtle and mysterious power. Causing Pat to follow his hand
slowly backward and forwards over the stage, while collecting
his now really disturbed thoughts, his eye caught the stove in the
miniature orchestra at the bottom of the stage, to which there
were no footlights. Walking quietly that way with the Irishman
still following the extended finger, he stepped noiselessly one
side when in a straight line with the stove. In an instant Pat
was precipitated upon it with a tremendous crash. Eubbing his
cheeks and his hands which were smarting with the burns as well
as his ribs with the fall, Patrick, to his inexpressible relief, threw
the audience into convulsions by exclaiming, " Be Jabers, I
wasn't asleep at all, at all."

With a look of defiance at Mr. Rice he rushed from the house
in high dudgeon and in the midst of vociferous shouts.

It seems the honest Irishman thought it necessary, in order to
earn his two dollars, to feign sleep when he found it would not
come in the usual way. He had been able to obey Dan's signals
with his eyes closed by recollecting the rules of the professor, in
such cases made and provided, whom Mr. Rice imitated exactly,
until in walking down the stage he depended too implicitly upon
the hitherto faithful ear. Then followed his startling fall, and
the fiasco got Rice out of his predicament. Of course this started
a tide of ridicule which the professor could not stem, and his
departure the next day left Mr. Rice in sole possession of the field.

His next adventure on his tour was his famous visit to the
beautiful village of Davenport on the upper Mississippi, in Iowa,
which was then a territory. His inimitable social qualities soon
made him the favorite of Mr. Miller, the prominent merchant
of the village, as well as the courteous host of La Claire House,
and also formed the friendship of La Claire, a noted Indian
chief who resided in that place. The friendship contracted with
these gentlemen, as well as with other prominent citizens of the
town, has always been preserved with mutual pleasure, and to-day
their descendants are as marked in their approval of the rare per
formances of the Dan Rice of later years as their ancestors were
in the scenes of his struggles in those early days.

On the occasion of his visit here, Mr. Rice advertised an exhi
bition which filled the dining-room of the hotel. Generous liv
ing, however, made heavy demands upon his purse, and his in
debtedness already equalled the aggregate of his receipts, and still
there was yet the license to pay. The license that was imposed,

90 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

he, in common with the community, thought exorbitant, and it
was a question, indeed, whether it could be demanded for the
kind of exhibition he proposed to give. Therefore he felt in
clined to resist the payment, but if the collector felt disposed, as
he did, to enforce it, then Mr. Rice felt equal to the emergency
by indulging in a little pardonable temporizing to evade it; there
fore, on various pretexts, payment of the license had been post
poned until the performance was over.

On returning to the hotel and making an estimate of his re
sources, he found it necessary to put off either his hotel or license
bill. To relieve himself of the perplexity, which an argument
of the matter would have involved, he paid his hotel bill aiid sent
for the ferryman who plied between Davenport and Rock Island.
To him he agreed to give two dollars and a half if he would have
his boat ready at the shore all night to ferry him across at a mo
ment's notice. As soon as the collector suspected that Mr. Rice
intended to evade payment, he placed in the hands of the con
stable a warrant for his arrest for exhibiting without a license.
Rice, under the guise of subterfuge, told the constable that he
would remit him the money from Rock Island, where he was an
nounced to exhibit the next evening, but the constable demurred
and prepared to arrest him. Mr. Rice stepped back a pace and,
warning the officer not to approach him, shouldered his carpet
bag, which had been previously packed, and walked out of the
door as the crowd in the rear made way for him. The constable
called on all good citizens to assist him in arresting a man who was
" resisting the law," but as all had witnessed his " feats of
strength " at the exhibition, no one was willing to expose him
self to the encounter. A colossal, two-fisted countryman, to
whom a more direct appeal was made by the constable, replied
with indignation, " Do you suppose I want to touch a Samson? "

Mr. Rice rejected the intervention of his friends who proposed
to go on his bail, and persisted in making his way to the river, a
short distance away. The crowd followed him down to the
boat, accompanied by the constable who was inclined to keep at
a respectful distance from Mr. Rice, for he had turned to him
when he thought he encroached too near with the threatening
inquiry whether " he expected to breakfast in the bosom of his
family or in that of Father Abraham's, on the morrow?"

In this way he reached the river where the faithful boatman
was ready with his oars. But even here the posse could not
muster the courage to rush upon him, so he stepped deliberately
in the boat, deposited his baggage in the bow, adjusted his dress,
removed his hat, and, bidding adieu to his friends whose faces
be recognized in the moonlight, he made a sardonic speech to the
collector and his coterie. The crowd enjoyed the discomfiture

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 91

of the constable and the bravery of the showman and involun
tarily joined in prolonged cheers which accompanied Rice half
way across the river.

Much anxiety was felt, however, about the safety of the brave
young man; indeed, the boatman himself declared the tide was
too strong, but Mr. Rice coolly informed him that he would im
pose upon him the penalty of drowning if he did not proceed,
so the manipulation of the oars was conducted at once.

At Rock Island he also had some misgivings as to whether he
could again evade the license, but the news of his victory over
the Davenport authorities had preceded him and produced un
bounded satisfaction, so great was the rivalry between the two
places. The village authorities to whom he applied upon the
subject of lowering the license, good-humoredly replied that
" their minimum price was twenty-five dollars, and that he was
at liberty to play them a trick, as he did in Davenport, if he
could." This set his wits to work, and was an incentive to spur
him on again to escape the license, even though the receipts
would justify him in the payment of so large a sum. A dozen
different versions of the affair on the opposite side of the river
were current, and he was the absorbing topic of the day. The
excitement increased towards night, and the doors of Barrett's
hotel were thronged early by the crowds, and the authorities had
decided that he must pay the license before he exhibited. Mr.
Rice was at the door, collecting the admission fees, when the
collector approached him with the license. The hallway was
full of people going in, and Mr. Rice said to the officer, " All
right, sir; step in and take a seat while I attend to these people
and I will pay you before the performance commences." Sup
posing that he had not yet rendered himself amenable and that
he intended to pay the license out of the money he was then re
ceiving, the officer passed on with the rest and took a seat, wait
ing for Mr. Rice to notify him when the performance was to
begin. Mr. Rice had discovered that the rush had subsided, or
rather that he was precluded from taking any more money by
the room being already filled to its utmost capacity. He asked the
officer who had the license prepared to take his place at the door
a moment while he went in to start the music and count the
money. As he walked from the door through the side aisle with
his hat under his arm, the audience cheered him and the ladies
were at once captivated by his appearance and enlisted in his
favor. As he passed behind the blanket, borrowed of Barrett
for a curtain, the utmost silence prevailed excepting the music
of the orchestra, which consisted of one violin played by the negro
barber of the town. After five minutes' breathless suspense, the
more daring ventured upon a few thumps with their canes. The

92 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

solitary fiddler scraped with redoubled fury. Stamping, hand-
clapping, and encouraging cheers soon drowned the desperate
din of the lone violin. The officer at the door peeped in to see
if it was not applause greeting Mr. Rice's initial act. Although
he thought sufficient time had passed for his return, still he did
not like to desert the responsible post with which he was en
trusted. At this moment a curious little boy in front who could
not resist the temptation of lifting a corner and peeping behind
the curtain, thrilled the audience with the cry, " He ain't there! "
The bird had flown; every one suspected the joke and left the
room with but one idea in view, that of reaching home before
it was discovered that they had been to the show. The fiddler,
the only accomplice Rice had, besides the ferryman, hastened to
receive the two dollars he was to have in the event of the show
man's safe retreat, forgetting that the very condition of his agree
ment would effectually prevent him from taking any steps to get
his money. Mr. Eice had thrown his carpet bag out of a window
upon the projecting woodshed in the rear of the hotel and imme
diately followed himself. With baggage in hand, he jumped
from the shed just as Barrett was passing under after a pitcher
of water. Alighting on his shoulders, Barrett was thrown
sprawling upon the ground and the pitcher broken in fragments.
As Barrett knew that Mr. Rice ought to be above stairs amusing
the audience, he surmised the trouble, and gathering himself as
soon as possible made chase for his tavern bill and room rent.
By this time the constables were in Barrett's train, and as it was
dark and Rice was incommoded by his carpet bag which con
tained his personal effects, and by the ignorance of the topog
raphy of the premises, he was nearly overtaken when he went
headlong in the vault of a neighboring yard and the whole party
" came tumbling after " just as he managed to draw himself out
of the slough. Under cover of this diversion, he made his way
to the ferryboat, into which he emptied his pockets of the night's
receipts, and, undressing, he tied his clothes with a string to the
side of the boat, and so in puris naturalibus clung outside to the
rudder as the trusty ferryman pushed into the stream. The noise
of the rowlocks soon attracted the ears of that portion of his
pursuers who were in a condition to follow, and they gave chase
to the river in full cry, supposing that he was concealed some
where about the yards and could not elude the close watch set
upon him. To get out a dozen boats in pursuit was the work
of only a few minutes, during which time Mr. Rice seized an oar
and made such good use of it that they were soon in close
proximity to the Davenport shore. His object was to present
himself openly in Davenport and win the forgiveness of its citi
zens by his triumph over the Rock Island authorities who had

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 93

laughed heartily at his previous day's adventures. But it would
not do to land in his present plight, and, before he would have
time to dress, the Rock Island flotilla would be upon him. He
saw the Illinois shore illuminated with lanterns and torches, and
a part of his pursuers running to and fro in wild excitement over
the supposition that the boats would secure him and bring him
back to Eock Island. Mr. Rice, taking in the situation at a
glance, ceased to row, and the ferryman allowed the boat to go
noiselessly down the current at the rate of five miles an hour,
until six miles below Eock Island, \vhere, after remunerating
the ferryman for his trouble, he landed at a wooded shore alone,
arranged his toilet and made his way to Grand Detour, with one
star only for his guide. As he had not performed at Eock Island
he could not have been compelled to pay the license.

For several years afterwards any of the villagers would have
risked a coat of tar and feathers, in either of these localities, by
inquiring how Dan Eice got rid of the license, and in a high-
spirited manner did they bandy jeers and taunts at each other
across the water for being so easily outwitted. When Mr. Eice
had become the owner of a circus, which was in reality an estab
lishment worth patronizing, and when he was no longer reduced
to the necessity of giving leg-bail to license collectors, the arrival
in that part of the world of his advance agent created an excite
ment that threatened to suspend all the ordinary occupations of
the inhabitants. Another generation had partly grown up, who,
with the recent settlers had so often heard the story, that they
began to look upon Dan Eice as Bluebeard or some other fabulous
personage. The victims had not before suspected that the Dan
Eice of their troubles was the athletic clown of whom they had
heard and read so much. The affair was more interesting as Mr.
Eice had instructed his agent to publish at Davenport that again
he would " dodge the license," and no one doubted but that he
would carry his threat into execution. As Chief La Claire, how
ever, tendered him the use of a beautiful lot outside of the cor
poration limits, quite easy of access to its inhabitants, Mr. Eice
avoided the license without being obliged to use any particular
ingenuity.

At Rock Island, where the same intention was to be carried
into effect, the authorities met him in a more liberal manner, and
it would have been ungenerous to have played another prank on
them. The foremost among those who gave him a hearty wel
come was Mr. Barrett, who always declared that Mr. Eice had
paid him his tavern and room bill. The ex-sheriff of Davenport
County and the constables of Eock Island tendered him a wel
come also that had no reflection of the previous episode in it.
Even the ex-mayor of Eock Island confessed, as a secret he had

94 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

never before dared to divulge, that lie was present at the exhibi
tion that was never produced and cheered loudest when Mr. Rice
disappeared behind the curtain, and was greatly chagrined when
" he ain't there/' resounded through the room. And although
he had observed all the respectable portion of the villagers in
attendance, no one would ever acknowledge his presence, and he
did not like to subject himself to the universal ridicule of being
the only one who composed Dan Rice's audience on that occasion.
It was advertised that every person who had gone to see the
performance at Barrett's Hotel that memorable evening would
now receive,, free, an admission to the circus, as Mr. Rice felt
morally bound to adjust himself honorably with the community.
But every man had committed himself by vowing that he had
never been near the previous show at all, therefore the ex-mayor
of Eock Island received a complimentary family ticket as a
reward for his honest confession, and Mr. Eice's humorous re
marks in the arena, of the previous affair, created great amuse
ment at the expense of those who were unmistakably sensitive to
his ridicule.

CHAPTER XII.

CIRCUS LIFE AS IT WAS AND IS — OLD AND NEW SCHOOLS —
PRESENT AND PAST METHODS COMPARED — MORALE AND PER
SONNEL OF THE PERFORMERS THEIR METHODS, TEMPTA
TIONS AND HARDSHIPS CONTRASTED WITH THOSE OF THE
PRESENT-DAY ARTISTS — A LUGUBRIOUS INCIDENT — A BIBU
LOUS BRIDEGROOM — A HAPPY DENOUEMENT — A GRUESOME
AWAKENING — SAD DEATH OF A ROOM-MATE.

IN" striving to enhance the interests of his little travelling es
tablishment, Mr. Rice was ever on the alert for some attrac
tion to please the public mind and eye, and introducing new
novelties of his own invention to strengthen the programme for
different localities, and thus win an interested patronage. In
the summer of 1843 he revisited Quincy, 111., and on the way to
that place he secured, as a drawing card, a nephew of ex-Governor
Carl in, who had won somewhat of a reputation among his towns
men at Carlinville as a slack-wire performer. And on account
of his professional notoriety, he became an adjunct of the Rice
show which was extensively heralded as containing " among its
many attractions, a nephew of the ex-Governor of Illinois." But,
unfortunate!}7, the very first time young Blackshear gave a per
formance on the strength of this announcement, the wire broke,

REMINISCENCES OF DAN IUCE 95

and he was injured to such an extent by the fall that he was
obliged to postpone his engagement indefinitely. Also in the
summer of 1843, Mr. Rice exhibited through the mining region
of Illinois, attracting much attention among the miners by the
superb feats of strength he performed. He now added to his
regular program the lifting of pigs of lead, beginning with 1,400
pounds and gradually increasing the weight to 2,000 pounds.
The miners could scarcely believe this feat possible, and the
strongest among them was unable to duplicate it. Mr. Eice was
of medium stature, and the lead, having been laid regularly on a
platform, supported by two trestles, he was able to get under the
platform with bowed shoulders and bent knees, and by straighten
ing his lower limbs would lift the platform clear of the trestles.
Among the sturdy fellows of superior strength brought forth by
the miners to test the great burden was John Ethel, a powerful
man, and also a previous acquaintance of Mr. Rice's, whose efforts
to lift the enormous weight were also unsuccessful. The secret
of the failure was, that they were all, as a rule, too tall, and
when passing under the platform were obliged to bend so much
as to destroy their leverage, and they therefore had no strength
that they could bring into requisition. It was merely a question
of proper adjustment of the trestles to meet the stature of the
person who was testing the burden, and Mr. Rice's knowledge of
anatomy enabled him to calculate the exact angle and extension
so perfectly that he rarely missed those calculations. His daily
practice, besides, created a precision that could only be gained
by persistent usage. All through that wild, primitive country
Rice continued his exhibition, travelling with a horse and buggy
and indulging in his favorite game of " seven-up " with the card
champion of every new field he visited. His expenses were not
very large, but his extravagance consisted mainly in his great
hearted, liberal nature, that could never withstand the appeals
made upon his purse, for he was often called upon to contribute
to different objects out of compliment, a courtesy he rarely re
fused.

At Snake Diggins, afterwards called Potosi, in Jo Daviess
County, he encountered the only man he met on the tour who
could play " seven-up " better than he. His name was Lemuel
Smith, an old sport, who won six hundred dollars from him, and
his horse and buggy also fell a sacrifice, which, however, was
returned to him, and fifty dollars besides. This sum Smith
loaned to Mr. Rice, with which to go to Plattsburg, Mineral
Point, and Galena. Mr. Rice informs us that his assistant on
this tour was a young man who gave his name as Arthur S.
Poarlos, and the two young persons formed a strong friendship
for each other.

96 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Pearles represented himself as a Bostonian, and it is evident
that he was an intellectual individual, and also a line musician,
for he was master of several different instruments, but what Ue
specially preferred was the violin. He was also possessed of fine
morals and carefully held himself as far apart as was possible
from the rough element of those early days. He told Mr. Rice
that he had been carefully raised, and, as he was not naturally
strong, he had been advised by his physician to go to the min
ing country and lead a life among its hardships; to experiment
if it would effect a cure, as the climate in Boston was too rigid.
The result had been so satisfactory that he concluded to return
to his home, and, as he preferred a journey long drawn out, he
engaged to travel with Mr. Rice and thus eventually accomplish
the end with renewed vigor by entering into what seemed to be to
him a pleasant pastime. A few days previous to the performance
at Plattsburg, Mr. Pearles had been ailing with premonitory
symptoms of the quinsy sore throat, and was really quite ill by
the time they reached Mineral Point, the next place on the route.
The exhibition was held as usual in the dining-room of the hotel,
and Mr. Pearles played for Mr. Rice in the songs and dances,
but was unable to continue the programme during the feats of
strength. He was obliged to retire directly to his room, where
the landlady made him as comfortable as possible under the cir
cumstances, renewing the poultices on his throat, etc., for Mr.
Rice had strictly charged that Pearles should have the best at
tention, and it was rendered accordingly.

Mr. Rice, necessarily, retired late, and as he occupied the same
room with Pearles, he took to him a hot beverage which, the
young man told him, he could not possibly swallow. Mr. Rice,
after seeing that Pearles' wants were supplied, retired by his
side in the same couch, and was soon in a profound slumber. On
awakening the next morning about five o'clock he inquired of his
friend if he were feeling better, and, not receiving any response,
he laid his hand on him gently to rouse him, and found, to his
consternation, that the man was cold.

Further investigation by a physician proved that the abscess in
Mr. Pearles' throat had broken and suffocated him. As there
was no organized graveyard in that mining country, Mr. Rice
contracted with the landlord to set off a plot of ground with a
rude fence, and secured a carpenter to make a stanch box, in
which they laid Arthur Pearles away, without any ceremony, in
n lonely grave which they dug with their own hands, and left
him 'mid the lights and shadows that shifted over the prairie.
Mr. Rice gathered together the young man's effects, and after
locking the trunk and fastening the key on the cover, had it
addressed and despatched to the Mayor of Boston, to whom he

KEMINISCEXCES OF DAN RICE 97

also wrote apprising him of the circumstances as they occurred
above, and then continued his journey. To that letter he never
received any response, and he does not know whether the relatives
of Arthur Pearles ever heard of his death, but the sad incident
is still impressed on his memory, after all these years, with a
painful vividness.

Before crossing the Wisconsin, Mr. Eice stopped over night at
Patch's Grove, on the prairie, and in fireside gossip, before retir
ing that night, discovered that Mr. Patch was related to his
stepfather, by his marriage with a Miss Manahan, of Cayuga
Lake, N. Y. A bond of relationship having thus been estab
lished, it was agreed that he should be Mr. Patch's guest for
several days, and give an exhibition in his house. The news
having been circulated in that sparsely settled country, the rustic
beaux and belles of the neighborhood gathered on the evening
of the entertainment in the immense living room of the Patch
family, which did duty for both sitting-room and kitchen, while
the gigantic fireplace, curtained off by two sheets, served for
dressing-room and stage alike. The silhouette of Mr. Rice's
manly form, as he divested himself of his clothes to don his stage
garb, came out in clear relief on the curtain and provoked much
mirth, as well as some little consternation, in the audience. It
is also recorded that Mr. Rice actually blushed and was greatly
discomfited when he discovered that he had, without any design
on his part, been the innocent cause of deep mortification to the
prairie belles and their beaux; but notwithstanding this ludicrous
scene, the remainder of the programme was carried out with
equally good effect. In continuing his journey after a series of en
tertainments at Patch's Grove, before crossing the Wisconsin
River on his way to Baraboo, Mr. Rice observed a monstrous black
snake in the road over which they were driving. This circum
stance would have seemed only a trivial affair to many, but to
one so constituted as he, and who has such an intense aversion
to those reptiles as he entertains, the mere sight of one is almost
ominous, and, besides, he holds peculiar views in regard to them.
Not being in a position to despatch this one, which he disliked
so much to pass, the party urged the horse to the limit of his
speed and made no halt until they reached the arranged destina
tion, so determined was Mr. Rice to get out of that part of the
country and leave his evil genius behind him.

Mr. Seth Kurd, a popular resident of Baraboo, at that period
owned the stage line at that place, and also kept the hotel at
which Mr. Rice's party registered, and it was in the dining-room,
as usual, that he gave his performances. On one occasion he
regaled his audience by executing a genuine war-dance to please
the Indians, many of whom had come to see the Strong Man.
7

98 REMINISCENCES OF UAN EICE

Colonel Rice has remarked that it was a curious spectacle to see
the swarthy fellows seated around on the floor with their blankets
folded about them and trinkets displayed to good advantage on
this occasion, as they were part of the audience. And they ex
hibited great interest when he went through the war-dance, ap
parently to their satisfaction. They expressed themselves freely
at his feats of strength, and applauded every feature of the
performance.

On his return journey he remained over night and gave a
performance at Fort Winnebago, a great army station, at which
many prominent officers were then quartered,, including Gen.
Zachary Taylor; young Jefferson Davis, who was afterwards Gen
eral Taylor's son-in-law; and Gen. Simon Cameron. Also Lieu
tenant Rodman, the inventor of the famous Rodman gun. This
gentleman had previously met Mr. Rice, when he was a boy, at
the Allegheny Arsenal in Pittsburg, and on this occasion, he was
Mr. Rice's sponsor for the evening. The performance was a
grateful change to the monotony of garrison life and all expressed
their pleasure at the efforts of our hero in " driving dull care
away " in the few short hours that he remained their guest.

Late in the spring of 1844 he gave his performance in Ottawa,
111., at the headwaters of the river. He had grown weary of the
Far West, as that country was considered at that period; the
romance had vanished from the life he was leading and he at last
determined to return to the East and follow some other vocation.

Among the audience who saw his show on the last night at
Ottawa, was the Rev. Skipworth Griswold, a remarkable char
acter. Though a preacher of the Baptist Church, at Danbury,
Conn., Mr. Griswold was travelling through the West as the
advance agent of the North American Circus, of which G. R.
Spaulding, of Albany, N. Y., was proprietor.

Clergymen were not paid salaries in those days, and Mr. Gris
wold, who was a good man, was forced to travel ahead of a circus
in summer to get money enough to support his family in winter.

His superior education made him an excellent representative,
and his geographical knowledge, as well as his influence, were of
great benefit to such an organization. After Rice's performance
was over, Mr. Griswold walked back to the hotel with him.

" That is a fine exhibition, Mr. Rice," said he, " and it makes
a splendid impression. I wonder you do not join a circus and
display your surprising feats and do your negro songs and
speeches under canvas. I feel sure you would make a great
clown, and you know good clowns are hard to get." Mr. Rice
was impressed with Mr. Griswold's earnestness, but he had never
thought of joining a circus. Still, any change, of whatever char
acter, seemed just at that time desirable, and when Mr. Griswold

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 99

offered to give him a letter of introduction to G. R. Spaulding,
who would soon be with his circus at Galena, Mr. Rice accepted
it eagerly, as he was greatly impressed by Mr. Griswold's gen
tlemanly bearing and his evident sincerity. One peculiarity this
gentleman had that distinguished him from his brothers in the
profession, and that may have been a virtue, was, that he would
never travel on Sunday. His employer, however, in this in
stance, appreciated the tone he gave to the circus by observing
that custom and thus catering to the church-going public. In
those days a circus remained a week, and sometimes two, in a
town like Galena, and its patrons would assemble from all parts
of the surrounding country. On the arrival of Mr. Spaulding,
Mr. Rice found that he was by no means unacquainted with his
fame, for everyone in that country knew of Dan Rice by his
previous career among them. The letter of introduction was
duly presented, and Mr. Spaulding soon began cross-examining
him as to what he could do.

" You say you can sing comic songs? "

"Yes/' v

" And do negro songs and dances? "

" Yes."

" And pull against horses? "

" Yes."

" And climb the fireman's ladder? "

" Yes."

" Would you like to go with the circus? "

" Yes; I'm tired of roaming around the country alone."

" Can you drive a team ? "

" Yes."

" Can you learn to ride, and figure in the Grand Entry? "

" Yes."

" Can you play clown? "

" I can try."

" Well, if you can do all those things, and play clown, and
whip three men a day in addition, I'll board you and give you
$15 a month."

Mr. Spaulding was having his own little joke in all this ramble,
and Mr. Rice was well aware of it, but he accepted, and on the
fourth day made his first appearance in the circus ring. He was
at once successful and carried out his contract religiously, not
•excepting the three presumed beatings a day to be administered
to the champion of the local bullies who beset travelling circuses
in those days, notwithstanding varied reports to the contrary.

The circus of the early times had nothing in its profession to
cast reflection on its actors, and Mr. Rice says he has nothing to
regret by being connected with it.

100 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

He made his debut as a circus clown at Galena, 111., on the
afternoon of a hot day in midsummer in 1844, and while he made
every effort to please the audience, he thinks he succeeded, but
says he perspired as well as aspired in about equal proportions.
On the whole, his debut may have been pronounced a brilliant
success, for a large number of friends and acquaintances were
there to cheer and encourage him, and everything passed off
smoothly at the entertainment. Among Mr. Rice's acquaint
ances who witnessed this, his first, circus performance, was a
miner by the name of John Ethel, a tall, gaunt, unprepossessing-
looking individual, but a good fellow, and industrious workman,
and an honest man as well. He had been in good luck lately,
having struck a rich vein of lead ore, and had purchased a neat
little home into which he had conducted, on the very morning
of Mr. Rice's debut, the rather pretty little daughter of a Con
necticut dominie or minister.

John Ethel himself was not an educated man, but his wife had
been a " schoolmarm," and John regarded her attainment and
learning as colossal, while she almost worshipped his physical
powers, which were not overestimated; so, as each person admired
in the other some quality the chosen one really possessed, the
chances for their mutual happiness were good, and the prospects
positively assuring.

John Ethel and Mr. Rice had met occasionally, and were
socially on excellent terms, so the groom determined to take in
Mr. Rice's debut on his wedding day as part of the festivities
of the occasion, and he took it for granted, of course, that his
bride would accompany him; but in this natural calculation, he
was mistaken. Mrs. John Ethel had been strictly reared by her
parents under the true " blue laws " of Connecticut, and had
been taught to regard a circus as sinful unless a menagerie went
with it. " If only there were some animals, John, dear," she
said; " a tiger or two would save it, you know, or a lion would
make it all right, or even a leopard or a camel might take away
the curse, but no animals at all, dear; only horses and men in
tights and women in spangles and gauze, nothing on; ah, I
couldn't do it, John, it would break father's heart, so don't ask
me, John." And John, after this, did not insist upon her going,
but kissing his bride good-by for awhile, left her to fulfil his
engagement, that embraced Mr. Rice's debut. Having previously
stopped at various taverns and partaken of more than was neces
sary of spirituous refreshments, he reached Spaulding's Circus
tent, where Rice was performing, in a " glorious " condition. On
entering and seeing Mr. Rice in the ring he called out his name,
and running down to where he was standing, seized him by the
hand and shook it heartily. Mr. Rice acknowledged the impul-

BEMINISCEXCES OF DAN KICE 101

sivc demonstration of Mr. Ethel, as he did not wish to have the
performance interrupted. Meanwhile,, John's great burly body in
tercepted the view of the audience, and calls of " Sit down there,
John Ethel," arose from the crowd. John looked around and not
finding any seat vacant, the tent being full to overflowing, delib
erately sat down on the ground beside the ring, interrupting Mr.
Eice now and then with his views of the performance, including
his own share therein. All was proceeding smoothly when a
storm suddenly burst over the tent — a storm of wind and rain,
which came, as most of those tornadoes do, with scarcely any
previous warning. It blew the tent down and every one nar
rowly escaped being hurt. They hurried away, performers and
all, the latter for the once having the best of the situation, as they
had hotels or taverns to go to for shelter, which were close at
hand. The storm lasted for several hours and prevented any
evening performance, but after supper it began to abate in vio
lence, and Dan Bice, the new clown, and another member of the
Spaulding Company, a young man who afterwards became fa
mous as W. W. Hobbes, the dashing rider, taking their umbrellas
went down to the river to see the steamboats. There was a
notable public house, a stone structure, called the Eagle Coffee
House, which was, in after years, the favorite resort of General
Grant when he was a young man, and which was then, as now, one
of the landmarks of the water front. Hobbes and Eice entered
this house and looked on a while at the gathering crowd, conspicu
ous among whom was John Ethel, now hilarious in the secondary
stages of intoxication. He was dispensing both fun and funds
with a degree of extravagance that lacked good judgment, but
this was his wedding night, and he the happy but bibulous bride
groom was celebrating the connubial event. Seeing Mr. Eice and
Hobbes, he accosted the former and invited him and his com
panion to have a drink. " Dan," he said, as Mr. Eice accepted
the invitation, " I saw your debut to-day," with an accent on the
but, " and said you were the worst clown I ever saw," which was
plain and not complimentary. " I'll tell you what I'll do with
you, Dan Eice; paint me up for the clown and I'll play it all
around for drinks." The crowd thought it a form of joke, but
Ethel was in earnest. " Paint me, Dan," he cried, and for the
sheer fun Mr. Eice sent for some stuff to the nearest drug store,
such as vermilion, Spanish whiting, and India ink, and painted
him in a most hideous fashion, first whitening his face and neck,
then painting his mouth from ear to ear with vermilion, and
then painted his eyebrows with India ink, adding ink also to the
corners of the mouth, thus the clown was portrayed in caricature.
He had taken off his coat and vest, and Mr. Eice completed the
pictorial outfit by tying a white handkerchief around Ethel's

102 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

head, which framed his painted features in a most hideous way.
The gathering was convulsed with laughter, as John, in his
maudlin state attempted the clown's grimaces with distorted
features, and as he slipped on the wet floor in his wild, un
steady gyrations, his appearance was indeed fiendishly funny,
and simply indescribable. The hilarious sport increased, rather
than diminished, and the evening waned into midnight, and soon
there remained, of all the revellers, only Mr. Eice, his friend, the
barkeeper, and John Ethel. The late hour ushered in the time
for closing and those present made preparations for leaving.
Ethel was about exhausted in his frantic efforts to play the
clown, and concluded that he would make his way home to his
waiting bride. As he shook Mr. Eice's hand at parting, he said,
" Well, good-bye, Dan, you're the worst-looking clown I ever saw,
except myself," he added as he caught a glimpse of his own ap
pearance in the glass, in front of which Mr. Eice was standing.
The figure, impersonating himself, looked so hideous, that he
glared at it with a sort of fascination that had a tendency to sober
him into a realization that he had made a ridiculous exhibition of
himself, for he remarked, " By gosh, I can't go home to my wife
on my wedding night looking like this." He made a frantic
dash for the pump which stood in front of the tavern, and the
location of which he knew well enough to guess at in the dark
ness. In his rash haste to perform his ablutions, and with his
brain still unsettled by his potations and aggravated by his pj*e-
vious violent exercise, he followed the wrong direction and made
his way directly to a hitching post, against which a reveller was
braced, and indulging in a series of violent efforts to relieve him
self of his Bacchanalian feast, the digestion of which was im
peded, no doubt, by his partaking too freely of the liquors fur
nished at Ethel's expense. The supreme moment for him came
just as John staggered up to his imaginary pump, and, securing
the man's arm, which he mistook for the pump handle, he raised
it and gave a vicious lunge downward which caused the Baccha
nalian stream to flow profusely, which John caught in his out
stretched hands and proceeded forthwith to wash his face. A
repetition of the performance was substantial evidence, in his
dazed condition, that he was absolutely clean and in readiness
to meet the newly made wife in presentable order.

Mr. Eice and his friend accompanied him to his home to as
sure themselves that no other accident should befall him on the
way. On reaching his cottage door, Ethel knocked gently, hav
ing just a glimmering ray of common sense left to remind him
that he must approach his dwelling quietly, so as to give assur
ance to the waiting bride that all was well, even though the late
ness of the hour was rather ominous. In response to his knock-

KEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 103

ing came the tones of a timid voice inquiring, " Who is there ? "
" It's me, your John," was the answer, in a deep bass voice, that
she recognized so well. His wife opened the door and started
back aghast, as the light fell full on his face and revealed to her
the conglomerated mixture with which he had performed his
ablutions, and the nature of which she could not possibly mistake.
His unsightly general appearance appalled and disgusted her, and
she could only gasp, " Why, John, what on earth is the matter
with you? Look at your soiled clothes and filthy condition."
And his deep voice hiccoughed out exultantly though rather un
steadily, " Why, Mary (hie), you ought'er seen me (hie) 'fore I
was washed," and the cottage door closed upon the first act of the
serio-comic drama, the continuation of which was enacted in
private.

The mortification of that night's adventure lasted John Ethel
his lifetime, and that one glaring deviation from the path of his
hitherto previous respectability caused him to form a resolution
that it would be the last, which, indeed, it proved to be, in his
long and honorable career that followed. The initiation of the
newly made wife into the almost unpardonable blunder of her
husband, was a severe test to her naturally refined sensitiveness,
but her womanly instinct covered his first fault with a prudent
judgment that exhibited more of sympathy with his lack of dis
cretion in regard to himself than in the injury to her confidence,
of which he was so forgetful. In explaining this much to Mr. Eice
in after jears, he also added that the course his wife pursued on
that eventful night had shaped the whole of his future career.

CHAPTER XIII.

DAN'S DEBUT IN THE EQUESTRIAN WORLD — THE COMPOSITE
CLOWN— RICE IN THE ROLE OF MANAGER AND PROPRIETOR
OF HIS FIRST CIRCUS — STRICKEN WITH YELLOW FEVER —
NURSED BY GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOR — A FACE, A FORTUNE,
AND THEIR EFFECT ON A FEVER CONVALESCENT — A WOULD-
BE ASSASSIN — RICE'S RARE PRESENCE OF MIND — NEW OR
LEANS CITIZENS' GRAND TESTIMONIAL— THE ARREST.

MR. RICE'S star of success was now destined to rise in the
ascendancy, and the future held for him results that
reached far beyond his highest expectations. The keynote of his
aspirations had struck the vital chord that was to reverberate
from the rustic borders of our growing country to the sea, and

104 EEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

elevate the standard of the circus to the heights of a meritorious
calling which was, at once, both artistic and dignified. Now that
Mr. Eice had at last become a legitimate circus performer, it will
be well to glance, in a general way, at the condition of the circus
world in his early days as compared with the circus of the present
time. The main difference of the circus fifty years ago and that
of this period was that the former was a circus pure and simple,
an equestrian exhibition, neither less nor more. There were no
animals in the old-time amusement except horses, for the circus
was not, as now, a menagerie combined with a side show, and the
noticeable features that distinguished the circus of 1840 from that
of the present day is that the system was conducted on a more
economical and restrictive basis in the forties. There were not
as many performers and the salaries were smaller, even allowing
for the difference in the value of money at that time and now.
A man who received $50 a month and expenses in 1840 was re
garded in the same light as one who gets fifty dollars per week
and expenses in 1900. To-day every one is a specialist and con
fines himself to one line of business only, but forty years ago
every one was expected to do everything when it was necessary,
and generally accomplished it, even to the daring Bare-Back
Rider, who assisted in erecting the tents, and the King of the
Invincibles who aided in the arranging of the seats. A circus star
was practically a " general utility," and perhaps this made him
a better " all around man." There were but few appliances, but
there was more individuality.

A circus manager, for example, made less ado, but accomplished
more and better results, and although he did not travel with a
brass band or a staff of assistants, managed to equip the estab
lishment with artistic accompaniments just the same. Although
a variegated, and on the whole, a hard life, yet the experience of
the circus performer was, in those days, not an unpleasant one.
The company travelled in wagons, roomy and comfortable, from
town to town, selecting the best hotels along the routes. There
was always a spice of adventure and romance about each day's
experience, and the performers were generally orderly, excepting
an occasional demonstration of professional jealousy which oc
curs in every organization to some extent. There was, of course,
a show of more or less combativeness between the members of
a company, and the country element along the route were, at
times, disposed to create trouble in order to display supremacy,
but such troubles arose mainly in the mining and manufacturing
districts where certain types of the foreign element predominate.

Frequently the circus people were at fault on other occasions,
but as a rule, circumstances generally forced them to be aggres
sive. With very few exceptions, the general order of affairs pro-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 105

grossed pleasantly and the accounts of trouble have been greatly
exaggerated.

The training of the equestrian was most rigid, and his early
labors most arduous compared with the condition of the young
equestrian neophyte of to-day, which is now greatly ameliorated.
Formerly he was subjected to great cruelty, and every step in his
advancement accompanied with the lash and curses; now, with
occasional exceptions, the apprentice is treated humanely and, as
might be expected, his advancement is more rapid. Hence the
singular fact that young Hernandez and M'lle Rosa, though mere
children, are better performers than those of the old school.

There was nothing about the business that necessarily militated
against law and good morals, nothing inconsistent with the most
exemplary life and rigid profession of religion. A disorderly
equestrian was an anomaly, or, if disorderly, it was still more rare
to find his comrades countenancing him. Non-resistance, though
more ostentatiously professed, is never more rigidly practised.
When, however (their property dilapidated, their persons at
tacked, and their names maligned by a prejudiced community)
" forbearance becomes no longer a virtue," they do resist, and
usually with success. Who has ever seen the aggressor neglect
to apply for legal redress, or, applied, refused? The showman's
case is always prejudged. To be accused is to be convicted.

Fortunately a brighter day is dawning. A fondness for eques
trian and gymnastic exercises pervades the highest and best in
the land, and with their good opinion the maledictions of others
can be borne. They know that prurient imaginations that could
not safely view the old masters or revel in the beauties of the
painters and sculptors of whom the country is so proud, without
finding food for corrupt thought, should, of course, never visit
a circus. With such, nothing but what is cold and austere and
bare is pure, watching ever to detect a lurking Cupid or Venus
in every position and a double entendre in every expression.

The fanatic may have consolation in the great moral as well
as economic axiom that the demand regulated the quality as well
as the supply. The trader furnishing the articles most in de
mand amongst his customers does not regard their utility, nor
does the merchant in the glaring color in his fabrics when such
are in vogue trouble himself about the purity of the taste of his
patrons.

The extraordinary uniqueness of the entertainments Colonel
Rice presented was in bizarre but business-like fidelity with
which the minutest detail was invested. The indescribable spirit
that imbued everything with its infectious and impressible in
dividuality, to say nothing of the genius for organization which
held in check and moulded into a unit the crude and ever-clash-

106 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

ing interests of a professional personnel, rarely if ever encoun
tered in any other channel of the world of amusement. All these
characteristics had an inevitable tendency to win a public patron
age, in the face of an ever-present and powerful competition,
little short of the marvellous,, when the reader seeks to analyze
the secret of Mr. Rice's unparalleled triumphs in the circus arena.

The cordiality with which the better classes and more influ
ential citizens responded to his odd way of casting off the stale,
mechanical method of the past in introducing innovations that
ordinarily require a century to mature — all this can be accounted
for only by the originality and determination, pure and native
tact, and brilliant genius of the great moral champion of the
arena.

The following year, 1847, when he had scarcely attained his
twenty-fourth year, young Dan identified himself with the Welsh
National Circus, making his initial bow in the equestrian world
at the National Theatre, Philadelphia. It was while filling an
engagement there that his wonderful versatility asserted itself
in a marked degree. If in the character of a Shakespearean
clown he had hitherto achieved an unrivalled renown, in his
presentation of the new, boldly original, and strikingly comic role
of an equestrian clown, he had certainly reached the comic
climax, so to speak, of his world-wide fame as a fun-maker.

The composite clown, in which these two opposite types com
bined, was only made possible by such a genius as Eice, and re
vealed in him one of the richest and most natural grotesques that
was ever surmounted with the sugar-loaf hat.

Perhaps no artist is thrown more completely on his own re
sources than is the equestrian clown. Unlike the low comedian,
he has no humorous speeches, monologues, jests, jokes, or conun
drums manufactured to the bidding by the best wits of the day,
working overtime at that; neither has he the assistance of con
federates drilled to their parts or the extrinsic aids of the arenic
illusion and dress. He is, on the contrary, compelled to invent his
wit, as it were, on the wing, and being the centre of attraction,
the observed of all observers, if a spontaneous sally should prove
amiss, he has no alternative but to bear the recoil upon his own
shoulders.

In this semi-blend of the wise fool and the knock-about-jack-
of-all-jokes sort of character were revealed the exhaustless re
sources of the remarkable man.

Mr. Rice was never at fault — never at a loss for anecdote or
repartee in any emergency, and while his art was often pungent,
his mirth-inspiring personality made ever the object of his shafts
the subject of an enviable interest than a target for popular and
distasteful gossip.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 107

But in the development of the dual character Mr. Eice had a
two-fold purpose.

The Shakespearian jester, sui generis, had entailed an in
credible drain upon him. In creating or assimilating the eques
trian clown he discovered a sort of side line, a foil in fact, to re
lieve the tremendous strain, mental and physical, which the
former role demanded.

He realized in so doing that, in the event of success as the
delineator of the " twin-opposites," his future was assured.

The mirth he provoked proved indeed a mint of money. It
seemed as if at one bound he had reached the top round of his
professional ladder.

Wherever he appeared throughout the United States the most
tremendous and enthusiastic audiences greeted his mirth-inspir
ing presence. This is not a little extraordinary when it is con
sidered he made his debut in the ring only three years prior, that
•is, in the year 1844. His reputation, sprung up thus suddenly,
however, was simply and solely due to his indomitable and tire
less energy, reinforced by a business and a social tact that were
only surpassed by his engaging personality and professional
talents.

Some one has said that the man who makes two blades of grass
grow where but one thrived before is a public benefactor; upon
the same principle he who makes us laugh twice when we laughed
but once before is as great a philosopher and more truly entitled
to the admiration and applause of his fellow-men. Dan Eice
was, indeed, such a benefactor, great as a man, yet greater as an
artist. His success was electric — instantaneous. He was fairly
swamped with nattering offers at home and from abroad. He
was nattered and feted on all sides. His Philadelphia engage
ment was one continuous ovation. So it was that under such
gratifying auspices the youthful prince of jesters once more
branched out for himself, a new departure that proved to be the
stepping-stone to far greater triumphs in broader fields, as
manager and proprietor of his first circus.

Late in the spring of the year 1848, with the first circus he
ever owned on board of the steamboat " Allegheny Mail," which
started from St. Louis, he ascended the Mississippi Eiver as far
as St. Paul in Minnesota, exhibiting at alternate towns on both
sides of the river. In returning he descended the lower Missis
sippi with a view of spending the winter in New Orleans. Ar
riving at Milliken's Bend, near the mouth of the Yazoo Eiver,
Mr. Bice's indisposition, of which he had complained two days
previous, had now developed into a raging fever. At this point,
several gentlemen, including an overseer from the surrounding
plantations, called to see Mr. Eice, and concluded from his symp-

108 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

toms that he was, in all probability, suffering from the first stages
of the yellow fever. They advised him to leave his boat and
make use of the overseer's quarters while he was under treatment,
at the same time recommending for his medical adviser the plan
tation physician, Dr. O'Neill, a young student from Cincinnati.
Mr. Rice retained a reliable employee of his own as night nurse,
and during the day he was attended by a planter's young son
by the name of Jim Ooff. In appearance this young man was of
a sullen, suspicious type, and Mr. Eice imagined that he was
capable of any crime, and as his safe, containing $28,000, was
removed with him from the boat, that fact made him apprehen
sive of its contents. Therefore he was ever on the alert, with
his mind actively engaged on the one absorbing thought, that
of watching the safe during the day, thus diverting his attention
from his illness, which was evidently the best thing that could
have happened under the circumstances. Finally, by the time
Mr. Rice became safely convalescent, his boat arrived after meet
ing the appointments on the Yazoo River, and he was then taken
by his attending physician to Bayou Sara in Mississippi, to be
treated by a celebrated yellow fever practitioner, Dr. Gordon.
This gentleman being aware that the young students usually
practised first among the plantation negroes, and being surprised
that he should have a white patient under his charge, asked Dr.
O'Neill what had been his method of treatment in Mr. Rice's case.
When the young physician had explained, Dr. Gordon said that
it was only by a miracle that the patient had survived under it.
Mr. Rice, whose humor was always uppermost, responded: "I
lived, Doctor, under the pressure of that iron safe with $28,000
in it, and I couldn't die with all that money lying around loose."
After the evening exhibition Mr. Rice was able to be taken
on the boat and continue the journey with his company to Baton
Rouge, Dr. Gordon having advised him how to proceed during his
convalescence. Arriving at Baton Rouge, Mr. Rice was removed
from the boat to the hotel, where he remained several days, dur
ing which time a number of old friends called to inquire after his
condition. Among them was Gen. Zachary Taylor, who had, a
short time previous, returned from the War in Mexico loaded with
victorious honors. Having had large experience with yellow
fever, he insisted that he would become Mr. Rice's nurse, and
through the General's kind attention and the delicacies he fur
nished, the patient rapidly improved, so much so that after a few
days he was assisted to walk from the hotel to his boat, leaning
on the arm of the General, to whom he ever felt grateful, as he
afterwards proved by his tribute to him in the arena. A curious
incident in connection with this episode occurred long afterward
in the autumn of 1875, when Mr. Rice was making his tour by

EEMIN1SCEXCES OF DAN RICE 109

boat down the river as usual. He landed at Duckport, a few
miles below Milliken's Bend, a locality made famous in history
by General Grant digging a canal to cut oil' Vicksburg from the
mainland. The exhibition was held at night only, as the negroes
were' busily engaged by day cotton-picking. While the prepara
tions were being made for the evening's entertainment, Mr. Rice
took a stroll to look at the old relic of war times, the Grant Canal,
when his attention was drawn to a couple of bears chained to a
tree. He threw himself down on the Bermuda grass which cov
ered the entire levee, to watch their antics, when he was suddenly
accosted by a stranger who was bending over him. He glanced
up and saw an uncouth character standing there with an arsenal
around his waist, and rising to his feet, greeted the stranger
with the question, " Do you live here, sir? " " Yes, sah, this is
my plantation, and thar, yandah, is my grocery." And then
pointing to the circus tent in the distance, he continued, " What
is that thar? " To which Mr. Rice replied, " That is Dan Rice's

Horse Show." The man remarked, " It's a lie, sah; Dan

Rice is dead." Mr. Rice explained, " Dan Rice is not dead," to
which the man responded, " Yes, he is; he died at Milligan's
Bend over twenty years ago of yellow fever. I know what I'm
talking about," and with a gesture of a man of that class who
shows that he is not accustomed to being contradicted, his hand
sought the pistol in his belt. Mr. Rice knew the meaning of the
ominous sign, but continued nevertheless, " I tell you, sir, Dan
Rice is not dead! I am the only Dan Rice that ever lived and
I've never been dead once since I was born." " Stranger," the
man said solemnly, " I was nurse to Dan Rice when he war down
with the yellow fever at Milligan's Bend." " What is your
name? " asked Mr. Rice, beginning to recognize him. He replied,
"Jim Ooff. Everybody knows me in this country, sah; I work
over 200 hands." Upon this information, Mr. Rice, knowing
that those 200 negroes could not attend his show without the full
consent of the master, brought all his policy to bear upon that
question, and with a financial eye to windward, he invited the
stranger to come down to his boat at the levee, and, as was his
custom, treated his guest very hospitably. In the course of con
versation, Mr. Rice remarked, " Well, Ooff, I really owe my life
to you," at which the man smiled. "Do you remember," he
continued, " the iron safe I had with me in my room? " " Yes,
sah." " Well, there was $28,000 in that safe, and I read petit
larceny in your face and it was my anxiety about that money that
kept me alive." " What was that you read in my face? " asked
Jim, doubtfully. As Mr. Rice saw that he did not fully catch
the meaning of the term, he felt safe in repeating it, so he re
plied, " I said that I read petit larceny in your face, sir." Jim

110 REMINISCENCES OE DAN RICE

bro'ke into a smile that did not tend to enhance the contour of his
features, and remarked jubilantly, " Well, they didn't reckon me
a good-lookin' feller in them days! That's a fact." Mr. Eice
was closely observing the man, and says the lurking fiend looked
out in every feature, and the desperado was stamped in every
movement and gesture. As he grasped Mr. Eice's hand on his
departure from the boat, that gentleman asked, " What do you
keep in your grocery, sir?" "Plantation supplies, sah," he
answered. Mr. Eice then asked if he had any eggs for sale, and
Ooff replied, " I've got one hundred dozen fresh eggs, sah, at
twenty-five cents a dozen." " Then, I will take them all," said
Mr. Eice; " send them up to the boat with your bill." " All
right, sah." " Bye-the-bye," said Mr. Eice, "here is a family
ticket for you to attend the show this evening." " I've got no
family, sah; only a nigger gal and her mother who keeps house
for me. But I'm much obliged to you, sah, for your ticket," and
he grasped Mr. Eice's hand once more before he started away
with, " I'm yo friend, sah. Anything I can do for you, sah, com
mand me, sah." After the eggs had been delivered from the
plantation and his bill settled, Mr. Eice was surprised to see him
return and purchase two hundred tickets for the negroes to at
tend in the evening. The news of Mr. Eice's meeting with Jim
Ooff spread among the adjacent plantations, and they were
largely represented by the colored population that evening, to
gether with about one hundred ladies and gentlemen who occu
pied the reserved seats. The large audience was due, mainly, to
Mr. Eice's diplomacy in dealing with the outlaw. Mr. Eice says
that a Southern gentleman would have resented the indignity
which Jim Ooff offered in calling him a liar, but, coming as he did
from the North, he was of cooler blood and remembered the old
saying that, " A drop of honey gathers more flies than a gallon
of vinegar."

When Mr. Eice had fully recovered from the fever, he revived
his professional season in the succeeding winter in New Orleans
under very auspicious circumstances. The company, being com
posed of some of the very best available talent, was sufficient
assurance for the attendance of the elite of the city, and General
Taylor and the officers of his staff were also frequent visitors
from the barracks at Baton Eouge.

With his great capacity for localizing events and the broad
license of the arena, Mr. Eice always vividly displayed the virtues
of the hoary old hero of Buena Vista, and continually kept him
before the people in story and song, composing them as the cir
cumstances required and the opportunities offered. The scene
he introduced of the " Battle of Buena Vista " was one of his
greatest successes in the arena.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 111

General Taylor was daily growing stronger into the affections
of the people and Mr. Rice was one of the first to advocate the
General for the Presidency and labored assiduously for that end,
bringing all his powers to bear while in the arena and out of it.
Mr. Rice was one of the delegates from Louisiana to the con
vention which nominated General Taylor for the Presidency, and
was also present at the inauguration ceremonies. Being a strong
personal friend and admirer of the grand old hero, General Tay
lor offered Mr. Eice a place of honor on his private staff, which
was accepted for friendship's sake, the General conferring upon
him the legitimate title of Colonel, which title he is proud to
assume as the gift of one of our greatest soldiers in the nation's
list of great and good men.

During General Taylor's limited term of office, his warm, per
sonal interest was ever enduring, and when the hero of these
memoirs was summoned to the bedside of his prostrate friend
there was no heart in that assemblage that beat in greater sym
pathy than did that of Col. Dan Rice in those supreme minutes
when the President's life went out to penetrate the mystery of the
great unknown. Colonel Rice was solicited to act as one of the
pallbearers at the obsequies, which honor he was, unavoidably,
unable to serve. It has indeed been well said " He was the
noblest Roman of them all. His life was gentle, and the ele
ments so mix'd in him, that Nature might stand up and say to all
the world, i This was a man! ' :

In pronouncing his eulogy on General Taylor, the Hon. John
Marshall said that he was " great, without pride; cautious, with
out fear; brave, without rashness; stern, without harshness; mod
est, without bashfulness; apt, without flippancy; sincere and
honest as the sun."

General Scott, who also knew him well, paid a fine tribute when
he said, " He had the true basis of a great character, pure, in
corrupt morals combined with indomitable courage; kind-
hearted, sincere, and hospitable in a plain way, he had no vice or
prejudice; many friends, and left behind him not an enemy in
the world."

In the spring of this same season, 1848, on the occasion of a
benefit tendered him by the citizens of New Orleans, Mr. Rice
was the recipient of a massive gold medal presented by a com
mittee representing some of the best business and social elements
of the Crescent City. It was executed by the firm of H. E. Bald
win & Co., the Tiffany of those days, in that section.. The gem
was surmounted by an exquisitely wrought racehorse, with the
rider in jockey dress, the whole being beautifully jewelled and
enamelled.

On one side was the inscription " Presented to Mr. Dan Rice,

112 EEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

the Shakespearian Jester, as a mark of esteem for private worth
and of admiration for professional talent. New Orleans, March
4, 1848." On the reverse side is Mr. Rice's crest with the inscrip
tion " Filius Moini " — Son of Mirth — and beneath a careworn
face, with a branch of birch between, significant of Dan Rice's
success in brushing away dull care. The medal was presented in
behalf of the donors, in the presence of 5,000 people, by Mr.
Foster, a brilliant young A7irginia lawyer, in the spring of 1848.
From New Orleans Mr. Rice went to St. Louis in the spring
of 1849, where he met with an overwhelming demonstration.
Parades and banquets were given in his honor. On the last night
of his appearance, while the pavilion was crowded to its utmost
capacity, the Missouri Fire Company presented the " Prince of
Clowns, of managers, and good fellows," with a splendid silver
cup.

During the performance, at a suitable opportunity, Mr. J. A.
Valentine entered the ring and, advancing towards Mr. Rice,
made him the following neat and appropriate address:

" Mr. Rice. — As a slight return for the kindness you have
shown them, and as a token of respect to your professional merit
and to your private worth, the members of the Missouri Fire
Company, through me, desire to present you with this cup. They
beg of you to accept it as a token of their friendship and esteem,
and allow me to add upon my own responsibility, sir, that I sin
cerely trust fifty years hence you may be able to quaff your wine
from it, in hale health and fine spirits."

To which Mr. Rice answered:

" Mr. Valentine. — This spontaneous expression of the good
feeling entertained toward me by the Missouri Fire Company is
indeed as gratifying as it was unlocked for. I am highly de
lighted if my efforts to please here have met with their approba
tion. I shall always endeavor to retain their good opinion. To
this compliment as to my professional merit I will say that it
has always been my aim to improve the style of humor of the
arena, and I am glad to see that those efforts have met with appro
bation. To their declarations of private esteem I can only say
that from my heart I thank them kindly."

Mr. Rice with his company then proceeded to Cincinnati in the
steamer " Jewess," having disposed of the steamboat " Allegheny
Mail," and met there his silent partner, G. R. Spaulding, who
had, during Mr. Rice's southern engagement, organized a large
wagon show, with which to continue the enterprise in Northern
territory, which was to be opened at Pittsburg.

During the succeeding two years, 1850-1851, the great humor
ist, after an absence of two seasons made a tour of the Northern
States. His appearance in New York State was the signal for a

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 113

most extraordinary series of home-welcomings. His startling
successes, however., proved the cause of a most sensational hap
pening.

Since he had last appeared in his native State, he had encoun
tered many mishaps, and enemies had done their utmost to crush
him. For a brief period his foes had exulted over his apparently
hapless fortunes, but they knew not the man with whom they had
to deal. Misfortunes only served to develop his true character,
and the indomitable spirit which existed within him enabled him
to rise from adversity and triumph over the machinations of those
who sought to destroy him. The tact and genius which nature
had so lavishly bestowed on him won for him a world of friend
ships, and so while the engines of persecution had been working
against him, he had been steadily growing in public favor. His
fame as a fighter, as well as a fun-maker, had preceded him. The
relentless revenge with which Spaulding and Van Orden had pur
sued him, only served to keep him more closely in touch with the
popular heart. On every side he was met by the most enthusi
astic manifestation of respect and esteem.

Whilst Mr. Rice was exhibiting at Rochester in the fall of 1850,
Spaulding and Van Orden, lashed to fury by the great success
everywhere attending their former associate's enterprises and the
consequent failures of their own exhibitions, on a trumped-up
charge of alleged slander, procured a warrant for the arrest of
Rice, and had him incarcerated in the so-called " Blue Eagle "
Jail. The sheriff who executed the warrant was known as
" Wooden-leg " Chamberlain.

Dan Rice did more to increase the fame of the " Blue Eagle "
Jail than any other living man. He it was who christened it the
" Blue Eagle/7 the name by which it has been known all over the
country. Dan Rice was arrested by Sheriff Chamberlain, and
confined in the " Blue Eagle " in the fall of 1850, and the ex
planation and history of his confinement he gives in his once
famous song given below. This song was written on the wall of
the jail by Rice himself, and the words herewith were taken from
a copy made many years ago, and is supposed to be the only one
now in existence. The writing has become so faded by age that
it was almost impossible to decipher it, in fact parts of the last
two lines have entirely disappeared. It has been stated that the
inscriptions made by Mr. Rice on the jail wall are still visible.
This statement is erroneous, because many years afterwards it
was entirely obliterated. Visitors to the jail would invariably
inquire which was the cell Dan Rice, the clown, occupied. So
popular was the song that persons of all ages and sexes were
wrought up to such a state of excitement and sympathy, that
they would shed tears, and for years Rice could never get out
8

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

of the ring without singing that song — visiting the same places
annually. Parents would sing the song and transmit it to their
children, and some are still singing it to-day in many places in
California and Oregon. The song was written to the air of the
" Landlord's Pet/' an old English tune.

THE SONG:

Kind gentlefolks, all give ear to my ditty,

While I relate a sad tale,
What happened to me in Kochester City

Where I was in " Blue Eagle " jail;
But to tell you the cause, and the cause of the cause

It would cause you to sit here some time,
But as you and I do not wish to cry,

Therefore I will be brief in my rhyme.

A man named Van Orden, I'd have you to know,

Who was at one time my agent,
He stole my farm and stole my show,

And robbed me of every cent;
And because I told the public so,

It raised this gentleman's dander;
So at Pittsford, in the County Monroe,

He had me arrested for slander.

I being a stranger, and unknown in town,

Therefore I knew no bail,
So the sheriff straightway took the clown

Down to " Blue Eagle'" jail.
And my bail when it came could be no better,

It came from Albany town;
Accompanying it was the lawyer's letter

Saying, " It is good bail for the clown."

But there I stayed for one long week,

Because they would not take my bail.
I believe the sheriff and Van were colleagued

And determined to keep me in jail.
For which I blowed them up sky high

Every night played in the town,
And stated facts they could not deny.

All about their misusing the clown.

The citizens then did all complain

Of the sheriff who used me so mean.
Their names were Pardee and Chamberlain,

Two of the meanest men ever seen.

REMINISCENCES OF -DAN BICE 115

I know they were prevailed on to refuse bail

By Mr. Van Orden & Co.,
And there I was kept in the " Blue Eagle " jail,

By " Dot and go one " of Monroe.

For my appearance at court I then did give bail.

A bail they could not refuse,
And I bid farewell to the " Blue Eagle " jail,

The moment that I was let loose.
So here I am as you do see

These matters to explain,
I am determined to show up rascality

If they put me in the " Blue Eagle " again!

In exposing Van Orden, I never will cease

As long as my name it is Dan,
He had me arrested for saying that he was a thief,

Which I am to prove, and I can,
For he knows full well it is the truth I tell,

For a greater villain than he never run,
So on my fortune he cuts a great swell,

Which money was made by my fun.

So good gentlemen here, and kind ladies all,

It is now I must close up my song
Of my ups and downs on the raging canal,

And how I have been getting along;
But one word I must say before I go away,

And then my song is at an end:
If you would avoid a-going astray,

Never trust too much to a friend.

CHAPTER XIV.

JESTER AND JUDGE — A CLOSE CALL — RICE^S REMARKABLE
NERVE — THE "YANKEE YAHOO " — A STATE SECRET —
SPAULDING AND ROGERS* TREACHERY — FOILED BY THE
PILOT — IN THE ARKANSAS WILDERNESS — DAN RICE HIS
OWN ADVANCE AGENT — MEETING WITH TOM MAY, THE
WESTERN OUTLAW — A SENSATIONAL EPISODE — THE START
LING SEQUEL TO A DREAM — THE SNUFF-DIPPER?S STORY.

WHEN the winter season closed in the latter part of March,
1852, the Great Show started North, exhibiting along
the Mississippi and Ohio Eivers, and eventually brought up at

116 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

St. Louis the following August. Among the many spicy adven
tures which served to enliven the homeward journey, two inci
dents are worthy of more than passing notice. While exhibiting
in New Madrid, Mo., the local Justice of the Peace, a veritable
" Poo-Bah " in that section, came shambling down to the circus
in cowhides and clay-pipe outfit, looking more like a hobo than
a Lord High " Executioner " of justice.

Colonel Eice took exception to his tramp-like tendency to
shuffle and lounge about, and, of course, not knowing who he
was, ordered him away. On his refusal to go, Mr. Rice handled
him pretty roughly in the process of ejection. The old judge
left, vowing vengeance.

In about an hour a messenger came hurrying to the circus and
informed the Colonel that the judge was coming down with a
pistol to shoot him. As soon as the latter heard the name of the
object of his wrath mentioned by his friend he recalled the mem
ories of many a desperate encounter in which the grizzly " fire-
eater " had figured. Rice was inclined at first to avoid a collision,
but when the justice came swaggering down the wharf, horse-
pistol in hand, and filling the atmosphere with sundry hints about
" Yankee Yahoos," etc., Colonel Rice hurried down the gangway
of the steamboat and, snatching the " shooting iron " from the
grasp of the man, deliberately fired its contents into the air. Then
turning to the thoroughly rattled justice, he handed the gun
back, remarking, " Here, judge, is your pepper-box. I am Dan
Rice." The former was stumped. The latter, however, with a
tactful eye to business, the circus opening that night, extended his
hand and invited the dispenser of justice to join him in a drink.
Explanations followed and many other things until the " wee
hours " of the morning at the conclusion of the performance.

The judicial gentleman above referred to afterwards became a
very pillar of strength in the national politics of the country.
For obvious reasons his name is not disclosed.

The other adventure previously referred to happened while
en route a few days later. Spaulding and Rogers had constructed
at Cincinnati a floating amphitheatre, or " Marine Palace/' em
bracing a ring, auditorium, etc., wherein they gave performances.
The undertaking, however, was operated at a heavy loss, and was
finally abandoned.

As the reader may recall, a bitter rivalry had existed since 1849
between Spaulding, Van Orden & Co. and the Great Jester. The
latter waged war against his enemies on legitimate lines as an
honest competitor; the former carried on their campaign against
him through disreputable methods. They, failing to compete
successfully, inaugurated a system of persecuting opposition, be
setting him with the tricks and devices and cowardly resources

KEMIXISCENCES OF DAN RICE 117

characteristic of the guerilla. It was rule or ruin, a question
of the survival of the fittest. It was a most costly struggle for
supremacy, carried as it was for four long years, entailing an
outlay of over one hundred thousand dollars by Colonel Rice.

They resorted to every contemptible stratagem to injure one
whom they frequently tried, but failed, to ruin. An instance in
point. It appears they were a day ahead of Rice's show on the
Mississippi. On the way to Caseyville the " Marine Palace " ran
aground. It took them nearly a day to sheer off, when, in order
to place Rice's in a similar predicament, they anchored the buoys
so as to effect that result, and then hove to three or four miles
above to await developments. But the pilot, Allan Sutton, quickly
noticing the displacement of the buoys, slowed the boat, ordered
the lead to be heaved, and, striking the channel, passed safely on.
It was a very transparent trick, and so, as the Rice boat steamed
past the u Palace," the latter was greeted with ironical cheers.
The following song, illustrative of the event, was composed and
sung by Mr. Rice at the next stopping place:

Some New York sharps, I'd have you know,

They struck upon a plan —
They built a boat on the river to float

To ruin this old fool Dan,
And as they failed in previous attempts,

And found it was no go,
They surely thought the " Palace " would prevent

Success to the one-horse show.
And oh, the one-horse show, my boys,

It is the show for fun;
And like this country's motto,

You find us " many in one."

This floating scow from Cincinnati,

Which passed here the other day,
The mechanics there that did work at her

Did not get all their pay,
Notwithstanding they were told

By Messrs. Van Orden & Co.
That Commodore Spanieling had plenty of gold

To ruin the one-horse show.
And now, if he has plenty of gold,

Then I should like to know
"Why the " Palace " was attached and nearly sold

By the friends of the one-horse show.

They try to ring the public in
By a church-bell chime,

118 REMINISCENCES Ol1 DAN E1CE

And after you have paid your money,

All you hear is an organ grind,
Which squeaks and squalls most mournfully,

And makes a doleful sound,
And seems to say, " Oh, sinners pray,

Why the devil don't you kneel down
And prepare to meet your fate; "

Which I tell them is below,
Or return to Dan before it's too late,

What belongs to him and his one-horse show.

They tried to catch me in a trap

As I left Shawneytown;
At Caseyville they laid false buoys

To lead me hard aground,
But Allan Button was wide-awake,

And knew the channel to a spot;
Says he, " Old Zac can never be caught

In such a shallow plot."
Our manager, Whitbeck, stood on our deck

A-laughing at the " Scow,"
His compliments to Spaulding sent,

To beware of the one-horse show.

It's now we are over Treadwater Bar,

All dirty tricks we shun,
We always keep in channel deep,

And follow the rising sun.
So you wealthy men on the floating scow,

To the breeze unfold your flag,
But do not touch the one-horse show,

For it's an awful snag.
So leave me alone, keep to yourselves,

To break me is no go,
For the joke is out, when Dan's about

With his awful one-horse show.

It was in the spring of 1852, after a season of the hardest work
the great clown had ever accomplished in fighting his old antag
onists, Spaulding and Van Orden. He arranged the route for
his " One-Horse Show " on the river to secure for himself a
month's respite to recuperate, as he was almost exhausted, both
in mind and body, with the heavy demands upon his artistic
powers, in filling nearly a six months' season of the most ex
traordinary efforts of his life of vagaries and in accomplishing the
success of defeating his enemies, driving them out of the " Old

FREDERICK WALLET1, THE ENGLISH CLOWN

REMINISCENCES OP DAN RICE 119

American Theatre/' they absconding under the cover of darkness
to the city of Mobile. He had arranged for his agent, Fred
Hunt, to advertise the river, leaving out all the large towns, as
far as Napoleon, taking only plantations on the way, and giving
only afternoon performances each day, as the planters would not
permit their slaves to be out at night. But Hunt, not favoring
the idea of subjecting himself to the dangerous element that in
fested Arkansas, declined to advertise the interior; so Mr. Rice
concluded to fill his place, and represent the interests of his
profession, by becoming his own agent. He therefore gave in
structions to the management what course to pursue on the route,
leaving out the cities, as his absence in the ring would have
proved disastrous in prominent places, and proceeded on his
journey alone, taking with him a case of show bills.

He took the steamer " Xatchez " at New Orleans, and, as he
himself was commander of the circus boat " The United States
Aid," it was most fitting for Capt. Dan Eice to become the guest
of Capt. Tom Leathers, commander of the " Natchez." Mr.
Rice intended to go as far as Chico, now called Arkansas City,
and during the journey was introduced to Mr. Shears, whom Cap
tain Leathers called his " most honored friend/' and requested
him, when they reached Chico, to " Let Dan have a team of horses
to drive through the country, for he wants to advertise his ' One-
Horse Show' in all the towns up the Arkansas River as far as
Fort Smith, and he will ship them back to you from Memphis
by boat. And I'll stand good for it."

And now began the journey by land. Arriving at a settle
ment, now called Monticello, consisting of a few habitations, and
about thirty miles from Arkansas City, he next day proceeded
to Pine Bluff, a distance of fifty miles; thence to Little Rock, the
capital of the great State of " bowie knives," but which is now,
in 1900, one of the most peaceful, progressive, productive, and
hospitable states in the grand constellation. Mr. Rice adver
tised the rest of the towns as far as Van Buren, six miles below
Fort Smith, where the news came by stage that the river was
rapidly falling, and it would be disastrous to make any attempt
to ascend the Arkansas. He then engaged a messenger who was
highly recommended by the landlord of the hotel, as the best
man he could secure for the requirements of the case, as he was
well acquainted with the whole country and knew the character
istics of its people. He was sent with a letter of instructions to
the manager pro tern, of the show, and was to await its arrival
at Napoleon, a town at the mouth of the Arkansas River. From
there the management went to Helena, and Mr. Hunt preceded
it to Memphis, to advertise it for one week.

Stopping at the same hotel there was an agent of General Ross,

120 BEMINISCENCES OF DAN HICE

the chief of the Cherokee Indians, who was on his way to Nash
ville, Tenn., and as a couple of days would elapse before the
arrival of the stage, at the suggestion of the landlord, Mr. Eice
consented to give the Ross agent a seat in his wagon as far as
Batesville, a distance of one hundred or more miles. In fact
he was glad of the agent's company, for hitherto he had been
travelling alone; circus agents at that time doing their work
singly, without the assistance of a staff of employees equal to that
of an army general, as is the system now in vogue. Well, they
started in the afternoon and remained that night at the house
of a farmer, eighteen miles distant. This man, Tom May, bore
the reputation of having killed several men, and, at one time,
belonged to the notorious Murrell gang of land pirates.

After the evening repast they were ushered in the dim twi
light to a loft, where a couple of cots and straw beds were pre
pared for them to pass the night. It was early in the evening,
but candles or lamps would have been deemed extravagant luxu
ries, not to be indulged in, or even thought of, in Tom May's
household. However, the weather was quite cool and the rough
roads that impeded their travel had predisposed them to sleep,
which they did soundly until about four o'clock in the morning,
when Mr. Eice was awakened by the Indian agent, who asked if
he had observed any one enter the loft during the night. Mr.
Eice, half asleep, replied in the negative, and was turning over
to finish his nap when the agent said that some one had robbed
him of his belt.

At this information Mr. Eice became wide-awake, and excitedly
rising from his cot, inquired of the agent what he meant. Show
ing a red mark around his waist, evidently the impression made by
a girdle, he replied that it was gone, and that it contained notes
and gold to the amount of ten thousand dollars, which had been
intrusted to him to purchase supplies for the Indian Nation.
After this there was no more sleep for Mr. Eice, who rose and
made an ineffectual search in the agent's cot for the missing belt.
A knowledge of the bad reputation of Tom May, the landlord,
caused them to form the conclusion that during the night he had
entered the room and taken it from the agent's person. The
latter had a forlorn hope that it might have become unbuckled
the night previous, while at Van Buren, and had slipped from
his waist to the bed while he slept. Meanwhile, during this un
certainty, Mr. Eice was most unhappy, for he was jealous of his
character and reputation, and he naturally concluded that the
loss of such a considerable sum of money by a roommate would
cast reflection of suspicion upon him, especially as circus people
then, as now, did not bear a too immaculate reputation. He
therefore offered to drive the agent back to Van Buren to investi-

REMINISCENCES OF DAX RICE 121

gate the affair of the lost belt, and declining the breakfast of corn
dodgers and rusty bacon which the Indian agent, despite his loss,
appeared to relish, he hastened to the barn, harnessed his horses,
and then drove to the house to settle his bill. He was surprised
to meet the agent at the farmhouse door with his face wreathed
with smiles. " I have found my belt! " he excitedly exclaimed.
u How? Where was it?" asked Mr. Eice, equally excited.
" Well," said the agent, u I'll tell you. While sitting at break
fast I all at once remembered a dream I had during the night. I
thought that Tom May was after my money and I arose, and
standing upon the cot, unbuckled my belt and thrust it among
the rafters overhead. This dream, as I have said, occurred to me
while eating, and I immediately went up to the loft, and, standing
upon the cot, I thrust my arm among the rafters, and, sure
enough, it was there."

This, to Mr. Rice, was an agreeable finale to that which had
threatened to become a serious adventure. Had the agent not
remembered the dream, the belt might have remained hidden
until this day, or, until the house was eventually torn down to give
place to a more pretentious dwelling in the progressing age.
And Mr. Rice and old Tom May would have remained mutually
suspicious of each other through the circumstantial evidence of
guilt. He often met Tom in after years at his woodyard several
miles below Little Rock on the Arkansas River, where he pur
chased a large tract of timber land. Having previously lost his
wife, he lived there a hermit life, managing his woodyard and
negro slaves.

The exciting scenes of that night caused the Indian agent to
change his plans, and he decided to retrace his steps, deeming the
journey to Batesville too hazardous to venture. He also advised
Mr. Rice to do the same, pointing out the perils of the route
through that rough and lawless country. But Mr. Rice was
guided by his native courage, and decided to carry out his pre
viously matured plans, and proceeded on the journey. The agent
finding his advice of no avail, hired Tom May to take him back
to Van Buren, and thus Mr. Rice parted with him and never saw
or heard of him afterward.

On the way to Batesville he passed through the most poverty-
stricken and benighted country that ever befell the fate of a
traveller, and one that even a man of experience would not be
anxious to revisit again. But being possessed of an indomitable
will he pressed onward until evening, and as he had travelled
many miles and saw no cabins in sight, he was fearful of having
to remain in the woods until daylight. Still continuing on in
the darkness, he, all at once, heard the barking of dogs, and was
overjoyed to find by a dim light that a habitation was near. He

122 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN 1UCE

approached a good-sized cabin, when a pack of hounds came
bounding out to make it known that a stranger was near. Mr.
Eice halted near the cabin and a tall woman appeared to put an
end to the canine pandemonium. He asked the lady if it would
be convenient for her to allow him to remain during the night
and furnish him with supper and have the horses fed and shel
tered. She replied that if he could put up with the accommoda
tions she had to offer., he was quite welcome to stay, but would
have to look after his own horses, as her " man is away, and thar's
no tellin' when he'll git home, fur he went to Batesville to 'tend
the 'lection." While the horses were being fed and attended the
hostess busied herself in preparing the evening meal, which con
sisted of pork and hoe-cake, and a very mild ingredient to which
she gave the exhilarating name of coffee. However, it was all
very acceptable to Mr. Kice, who rather enjoyed the novelty of the
occasion, and his humorous propensities were ever on the alert
to make the best of the situation that was forced upon him by
a series of circumstances.

While he was enduring the repast with all the fortitude of his
nature, the conversation that had also proved meagre in its de
tails began to lag until it reached a point where Mr. Eice sought
to enliven it by his ingenious, happy faculties. By way of a
preliminary, he asked the woman if she had a family, and being
informed that she was the mother of six children, he brought his
observation to bear upon the individual before him, and found
her to be a. tall, gaunt creature whose pale face and pinched fea
tures betrayed the results of a life warped by the fate of surround
ing circumstances.

The conversation continued to prove so uninteresting in its
nature that it finally ceased entirely, so there was no other alter
native for our hero but to submit to the inevitable.

As the time wore on and night advanced, the monotony in
creased, and the woman, weary with waiting for her husband, fell
asleep in Mr. Eice's presence. While his mind was ruminating
on his strange adventures and dwelling on the possibilities of his
business prospects in that wild district, the sleeping woman all
at once gave a most appalling shriek, which not only awakened
her from slumber, but also startled the weary traveller from his
reveries. With that bewildering air that comes to the suddenly
awakened sleeper, the woman exclaimed, " Jim, did you kill that
cowardly cuss that insulted me? " But, recognizing at last the
fact that she was addressing a stranger instead of her husband,
and being aware that he could not return without her knowledge,
she remarked by way of apology, that she " hed bin dreamin', and
would go to bed," which she did, wishing him a good night's rest.
Before she left the room, however, Mr. Eice, having a curiosity to

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 123

know of whose hospitality he was partaking, asked his hostess
to inform him as to whom her husband was, and she told him that
his name was u Jim May, brother of Tom May, who lives a few
miles from Van Buren."

Our hero was uneasy at this startling news, and debated in his
mind whether it was quite prudent to remain under a roof whose
master was one of the notorious Mays who raided the country in
connection with a lawless gang that brought terror to the re
spectable element, and threatened individual safety. He at once
concluded that he was in a very dangerous position, particularly
if the man May should return and find him a guest in his home;
but, being naturally gifted with a courage that was always ready
to adjust circumstances as the present required, he prepared him
self for any emergency that would be likely to meet him unawares.
So holding his revolver by his side with his finger on the trigger,
he felt that he was comparatively secure, and tried to banish all
thoughts of the unpleasant situation, endeavoring, at the same
time, " to woo the drowsy god to his embrace/'

All at once the dogs outside began to bark, and the noise
created such a state of excitement that Mr. Rice was impressed
with the idea that May had returned, and, should he be seen by
the outlaw, had his trusty weapon ready to meet any aggressive
demonstration from the desperate fellow, and also preserved an
outward calm that would have deceived even Jim May himself.
But it proved to be a false alarm, however, for the dogs soon
ceased barking, and everything around and about the cabin set
tled into quiet and repose. The night was well advanced and he
was beginning to feel an assurance that circumstances would so
shape themselves that all trouble would be avoided should the
man chance to return. And without any further apprehension
in regard to the possibilities that might occur, he again tried to
woo the god of slumber. As the moment of forgetful ness was
near at hand and the experiences of the night previous were be
coming obliterated, our weary traveller was again aroused by a
muffled noise in the adjoining apartment, and, while conjecturing
as to its cause, in a moment he was startled by seeing a tall, white
figure emerge from the room with a bundle in its arms. It si
lently approached the fireplace and, bending over the hearth,
rolled the bundle in some loose ashes and then quietly retired.
This strange, peculiar proceeding tended still further to banish
sleep, and Mr. Rice lay cogitating upon it, when he again heard
a repetition of the same noise emanating from the room, and
from it emerged the figure with, apparently, the same bundle in
her arms. The operation was again performed by rolling it in
the ashes and a silent disappearance as in the former case. After
these singular proceedings nothing more occurred to disturb the

124 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

stillness of the remaining night, and soon the day began to dawn,
much to the relief of Mr. Rice, who was thoroughly exhausted by
his experiences of the past two days. He took leave of his hostess
at the earliest possible moment, when she said to him as he took
his departure, "' Stranger, if you meet my man, Jim, on your way
to Batesville, don't tell him you stayed all night here, fur he's
orful jealous of me! " Mr. Eice told her that she might rest as
sured that he would never mention it to any one. And he gave
double assurance in his expression when he remembered what
she had uttered in her delirious dream. Still having a desire to
satisfy his curiosity as to the strange proceedings of the past
night, he said to the woman at parting, " Will you tell me the
reason why you came into the room so many times during the
night, and each time rolled a bundle of something in the loose
ashes on the hearth?" " Oh," she replied, "we've hed a long
drout. No rain fur several months, an' ther little spring nigh
a mile away jes gives nuff to drink, and bile yams, an' it's rily at
thet. So you see I can't wash clo'es or nothin' else an' the
children are so greasy an' dirty, they slip out of the bed, an' when
they do, I hev to get up an' roll them in the ashes to make 'em
stick to the bedclo'es." From what our hero saw in that forlorn
household during his forced sojourn there, he knew the poor

" snuff dipping " woman had told the truth.

*********

In the winter of 1852 while exhibiting in New Orleans (in
Frenchtown), Spaulding & Rogers, who were still dogging with
vengeful persistence the path of the Great Clown, came along
with their " combination " and " staked " their canvas on an ad
joining lot, expecting to play a successful game of freeze-out.
But the people would have none of them. In two days Uncle
Dan called their hands, and so, in the vernacular of the " green-
cloth," chilled feet resulted.

Spaulding had with him at that time the great English clown,
William F. Wallett. The dressing-rooms of the two shows were
not far apart. Between the acts, the famous American Clown,
as well known for his magnanimity as for his genius, in motley
garb, invited Wallett to come into his circus and he would intro
duce him. Arm in arm the two clowns walked into the ring in the
garb of their respective nationalities. After the introduction,
Uncle Dan made a brief speech, saying he considered Mr. Wallett
a personal friend and hoped he would meet with a cordial welcome
from the citizens of the Crescent City, and begged to assure that
gentleman that as long as he remained on American soil he should
never go hungry for the lack of Rice. Wallett responded with
his accustomed wit and repartee, assuring his American friend
that his " Wallett " should ever be at his disposal.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 125

A disagreement later on with Spaulding resulted in Mr. Eice
securing Wallett's services for four weeks' engagement, during
which Rice and he alternately played clown and ringmaster to
tremendous audiences.

CHAPTEE XV.

AT NEW ORLEANS — INAUGURATION OF DAN RICE'S MAMMOTH
AMPHITHEATRE — A REMARKABLE POPULAR UPRISING — A
UNIQUE DRAMATIC INCIDENT — A CLOWN IN TEARS — COL.
RICE'S TERRIBLE ARRAIGNMENT — ORGANIZATION OF THE
SOUTHERN MUSEUM.

IX the fall of 1853, Colonel Eice erected on Charles Street, Xew
Orleans, where the Academy of Music now stands, one of the
most magnificent places of amusement ever constructed in the
Crescent City.

It was known as Dan Eice's Amphitheatre. In all probability
it marked up to that time the most memorable epoch in his
career. Despite the horror of the fact that the yellow fever was
raging at this, period, counting its victims by the thousands, and
that, as a consequence of the devastating pestilence, a panic had
prostrated every branch of industry, the auditorium on the open
ing night overflowed with the most enthusiastic audience that
Colonel Eice says he had ever greeted in any section of the
country.

Colonel Eice delivered the following characteristic extempo
raneous prologue on that occasion:

Yes, my kind friends, I am here in Xew Orleans.

And at the thought fond memory pictures many scenes.

This theatre of my trials, triumphs, fortune, fame,

All good that clusters round my humble name.

Xay, start not, politician, sage, or hero,

A clown may have a fame as well as Xero,

Byron, Payne, or any other elf,

Born to annoy the world and to confound himself.

The jester's name on page historic glows

In colors bright and happy, but the woes

Of fellow mortals ne'er come down

To make him famous, or to give renown;

And is its mention worthy of your sneers,

Because it is not built on orphans' cries or maidens' tears?

But I'll not argue — mine's above all measure,

It fills my purse, so 'tis a priceless treasure;

126 EEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

And if to posterity it never descends,
Your presence here to-night makes all amends.
So to my task, for it is my delight
To see you here, as it will be every night,
And as your acquaintance I wish much longer,
May friendship's bond each day grow stronger.
Mine be the task, with all my might and main,
To shake cobwebs of care from every brain,
Bid Father Time his wrinkled front undo,
And as his step is noiseless, be it trackless too,
Nor leave his footprint rough, on beauty's brow
Or manhood's lofty front; so cheer up now,
Bring in the horse and let the fun begin,
For if there's fun about, be sure Dan's in.

After the performance had proceeded a most sensational inci
dent aroused the vast audience to an extraordinary pitch of ex
citement, recalling with painful vividness the persecutions with
which Spaulding and Van Orden had dogged Rice's steps, bring
ing utter ruin not only to his professional enterprises but to his
domestic relations. Hundreds of personal friends of the Colonel
in that great throng, keenly sensitive of all the details of the
fierce antagonism and revengeful rivalry of his former partners,
when the great clown reappeared in the arena, greeted him with
a veritable cyclone of cheers, alternated with derisive cries, in
which the names of Spaulding and Van Orden figured with venge
ful emphasis, " Go for them, Dan "; " Pillory the pirates "; " Let
rip on the blackmailers," and scores of similar questionable com
pliments echoed and reechoed through the vast enclosure. A
thousand throats took up the cry; again and again Colonel Rice
sought to stay the tide with courteous but deprecatory gestures,
but the throng would not be denied. The Prince of Jesters was
visibly affected. His eyes and voice, but a moment before beam
ing with brilliant bon mots and jest-provoking laughter, grew
dim and husky. The jester and the man fought it out for a few
minutes; the former was overwhelmed. The man met the occa
sion. Choking with emotion Colonel Rice made the following
impassionate address:

Ladies and Gentlemen: A strange fate has been mine since I
last had the honor of appearing before you, and I learn that those
who were the instruments of that fate have been most busy in
attempts to poison the minds of the citizens of this place against
me, otherwise I should not intrude my private affairs upon your
notice. These people say they started me in business. So they
did, and to me most disastrous business, for I was called by them

:__m^w+Jf^^^JAlTWAM-JJj&-tt^itMMU*UMto

RICE S

DAN

m
til!

SOUTHERN

MUSEUM.

JsEW ORLEANS

REMINISCENCES OF DAN HICE 127

from a very profitable engagement in Baltimore to New Orleans,
to play for them. I went; when I got there, they first tried to
cajole me into less favorable terms than they had offered me, but
finally, finding that I was more important to them than they
were to me, they came to terms, by which their shattered fortune
was redeemed, as the good people of the South were pleased to
favor me with their smiles, and money flowed to the coffers of the
managers. After a while I wanted a settlement, as they owed
me considerable money. Then it was they started me in busi
ness, for, being unable to pay my claim, I was compelled to pur
chase one-half of their old stock at a high price, and thus become
a circus proprietor. You can appreciate the kindness of such a
start. Well, we made money; fortune seemed to woo us in every
way, and I thought myself rich, but I was deceived. I had given
Mr. Van Orden most unlimited control of my affairs, and I too
late found that where I vainly supposed bills had been paid, notes
for payment, only had been given, as I had authorized him to
sign my name. What became of the money I have yet to learn.
But when I returned, under his charge, to Xew York, I found
myself head over ears in debt, mostly on account of Van Orden
& Spaulding. One curious matter will here present itself for
your consideration as involving a new principle in arithmetic.
Mr. Van Orden was my agent, and received for his services $100
per month. He was not worth $10 when he started on that duty;
lived like a prince while so engaged, and at the end of eighteen
months brought me in debt $3,000, but he was both bookkeeper
and treasurer. I leave you to ascertain what rule would work
out such a result.

While deluding me with the idea that I was rich, or, to speak
more plainly, while he was perfecting his scheme of robbing,
he persuaded me to let him be my agent in the purchase of a
farm near Albany, a lovely place. I did so, and gave him the
money to make the first payment, for I had been permitted to
handle a little of my own money, and this it seems he wanted to
get. The farm was bought and my family moved upon it. It
was furnished and stocked at my expense, and the circus stock
was placed there to winter, while it was agreed that I should go
South and play a series of star engagements, such as have always
been open to me. Previous to going. Van Orden suggested that
I had better mortgage the personal property to Mr. Spaulding for
fear some other creditors should take advantage of my absence
and it should be sacrificed. The chief of these creditors, whom
T was taught to regard as merciless, was my friend H. M. Whit-
beck, by whose kindly aid I am able now to see you in spite of
them.

Having foolishly arranged all things to please them, I started

128 KEMIXISCENCES OF DAN KICE

South, and had been absent but a few days when I received a tele
graphic despatch to the effect that Spaulding had foreclosed the
mortgage, and that my family were left in the house and would
be, in a few days, without the most common necessaries of life.
I returned in haste, and by my presence stopped the sale, for,
learning that I was there, neither of the gentlemen dared to show
his face at a sale of their own appointment. Having, as I sup
posed, put a quietus to this proceeding, again I started to fulfil my
engagements. The next news I got was that the sale had been
made; that Mr. Van Ordeii's father had claimed the farm as his
property; that my family had been turned out of doors in mid
winter, and that by a trick of the law I was a houseless wanderer.
I hastened to Albany and there learned that the farm had never
been deeded to me, but Mr. Van Orden, pocketing my money,
had caused the farm to be deeded to his own father, who was
then in possession. The offender was absent. How I burned
with indignation, I leave you to guess. But I was moneyless,
and, therefore, in law, helpless. I knew my only hope was to
get money, therefore I took my wife's jewels, and upon them
raised money to start another circus. But I learned to dread
the tricking of these men so much that I now started in the name
of F. Eossten, a boy whom I had raised, and who, I thought, was
bound to me by so many ties of gratitude that I was safe in him.
In this I was deceived — they bought him. Stung to desperation,
I denounced the whole party, told all the facts, and so incensed
the community against them that they were scouted from society.
They dared not retort one word while in a place where both were
known. But waiting until I reached Eochester, in Xew York,
where they thought 1 was not known, they pounced on me in a
suit for slander, and Spaulding, by virtue of a bill of sale from
Eossten, attached my property, an attachment which he has been
pleased to release and quietly pay $1,000 rather than stand a trial.
I was imprisoned, and, notwithstanding bail worth fifty times the
amount required by the court was offered, I could not get a re
lease for one week. As I have sued the sheriff for false imprison
ment, this will all come out in good time.

Again I thought myself free to pursue the even tenor of my
way, and started to reach the sunny South where I knew there
were warm hearts to welcome me. Soon after my arrival in
Pittsburg I learned that Van Orden was there, and had sworn he
would destroy me; that it was his and Spaulding's determination
to do so; that for the purpose of pursuing me they had started a
circus company, which was to pursue my track, and they were
both to keep up a fire upon me until I was finally destroyed.

I forthwith caused a writ for conspiracy to be issued against
them, and they are now under bail to answer to that charge.

EEMIXISCEXCES OF DAN RICE 129

Learning some facts relative to a portion of money surreptitiously
obtained and disposed of by Van Orden, 1 had him also arrested
for larceny, and to both of these he must answer.

I had with me at Pittsburg a performer of good qualities on
horseback, but unprincipled. This man he hired and cajoled
into a series of acts which have caused him to be arrested on a
criminal charge of grave character. The party shot ahead of me
down the river, and, I learn, have endeavored to spread a poison
ous influence against rne. I therefore deem myself justifiable in
all I have said. Xot that I ask any man's sympathy, or court
any man's favor. If the public come to see me and my perform
ance, I will try to satisfy them, and as far as this quarrel is con
cerned, I wish your motto to be that of the ancient lawgiver, fiat
just it ia, mat cesium.

In the same year the Southern Museum was projected and
organized by Colonel Rice. It was the first museum of any con
siderable size ever opened in Xew Orleans, or, in fact, in the
South, and it was a matter of general astonishment that such a
place, combining in the Xorthern cities so many resources of
amusement and instruction, with successful returns to the pro
jectors, had not, long before, become one of the settled features
of Xew Orleans. Colonel Rice seized the first opportunity to
gratify the public desire and supply the vacuum, and by his enter
prise and liberality, the Southern Museum was opened to the
public for the first time on the 25th of January, 1853. An estab
lishment of this kind, it is well known, demands years of labor,
diligent research, extreme care, and a vast expense to make it
complete, or even to bring it within any degree of completion.

In fact, a museum never is complete so long as anything of a
novel description can be added to its stores; but its organization
of objects representing the multifarious departments of human
knowledge, customs, history, etc., may be rendered perfect
though on a skeleton plan, and it is then but a work of time and
industry to fit up the ranks of the battalions of curiosities.

The Southern Museum formed the nucleus, and its active and
indefatigable proprietor constantly added to its resource. His
agents were everywhere and lost no opportunity to increase the
stores of the museum. Already two four-story, large brick build
ings were required to give them proper display, and it needed
but a brief inspection to convince the most careless onlooker
that the hand and eye of one thoroughly cognizant of his diffi
cult task had superintended the division and arrangement. Xot
only dead, but living objects of natural history were there in
numbers, and the student of all the " ologies " did not fail to
find plentiful material for his investigations.
9

130 REMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

The museum was open to the public all the year round from
9 A.M. to 9 P.M., the price of admission being twenty-five cents,
children, fifteen cents — cheap enough the little ones say to see
" the live elephant stuffed with straw/' as the old joke has it.

The following is a brief description of the amphitheatre, St.
Charles Street, New Orleans:

This large and elegant building, an accurate view of which is
given by the engraver, was erected expressly for Colonel Rice,
during the summer and fall of the year 1853 by Mr. Lawrason,
owner of the property, one of the most prominent and respected
citizens of New Orleans. It occupied a central and commanding
position in that busiest and gayest of the Crescent City's many
gay and busy thoroughfares, St. Charles Street, and its original
and picturesque exterior immediately arrested the attention of
every one who passed. Situated near the Southern Museum and
the St. Charles Theatre, it presented a more elegant architecural
appearance than either of those noted buildings, and, indeed, it
had but few rivals, in this respect, in the entire city. The amphi
theatre was designed for both equestrian and dramatic perform
ances and possessed a large and solidly fitted up " ring " or
" circle " where the bold rider has ample room for his feats of
graceful or daring horsemanship, and where the jester par excel
lence, Dan Rice himself, swayed night after night, in his motley
garb, crowds of delighted listeners.

CHAPTER XVI.

CORDS OF WOOD AND

RADO'S LAVISH GENEROSITY — MEETING WITH A FAMOUS
LAWYER — A TIMELY WARNING — FATE OF THE INDIAN
AGENT — ASSASSINATION AND ROBBERY — COL. RICE'S START
LING DISCOVERY — TRACES FRUITS OF THE CRIME — SILENCE
AND SAFETY.

IN Anril, 1853, Mr. Rice, after finishing the winter season in
his' amphitheatre in New Orleans, left the city to meet the
appointments laid out by his advance agents in the cities and
towns along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. In each
place he was received with great enthusiasm by the public and
with increased admiration and sympathy, as they had been kept
informed as to the warfare with his common enemies, Spaulding
and Van Orden.

Mr. Rice then ascended the Arkansas River as far as Fort
Smith, which he failed to do in the spring of 1852 on account of

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 131

low water. Among the several yards at which he took wood
was one several miles below Little Rock, at which he landed and
informed the proprietor, " I want fourteen cords of wood. What
is your price for the same, sir? " The individual addressed threw
a careless glance at the speaker as he answered, " Two dollars
a cord, sah." Mr. Rice knew the man at once, but gave no out
ward sign of recognition.

In the meantime the boat was made fast to the bank, and the
men at once began transferring the wood to the boat, while the
proprietor went on board. " Are you the captain of this yah boat,
sah? " he asked. Mr. Rice replied, " Yes, sir; I am the captain of
this boat." "All right, sah," he said; "have a drink, sah?"
" No, sir; have a drink with me, sir," said Mr. Rice, who, having
discovered that the man displayed two great horse pistols in his
overcoat pockets, and knowing that he would possibly stop there
again on his return trip, felt that it would be policy to treat
the man with courtesy and great liberality. They then proceeded
to the bar. They smoked their cigars while the men were load-
ing the boat and indulged in a general conversation. Mr. Rice
considered the situation and asked his visitor to take another
drink, which he did, and Mr. Rice enjoyed another cigar, while
his guest smoked his pipe, and, becoming quite social, he turned to
the captain and asked, " What is yo' business, sah ? " " I'm a circus
man, sir," said Mr. Rice, " and have my company and horses all
on this boat." "Well, what circus is it, sah?" the man asked.
" Dan Rice's Circus," was the answer. " By - — , sah! I've seen
Dan Rice's Circus in New Orleans. He beats all the circus
clowns I ever seen! Where is Dan?" he continued. "Well,
I'm Dan Rice," was the reply. " I'm proprietor of this circus,
and captain and owner of this steamboat, sir." He shook Mr.
Rice's hand with much warmth and said, " Let's take another
drink." Which expression was cut short as the last cord of wood
was being put on board and the ready bell had rung. Said Mr.
Rice, " My friend, go to the office and get your money, and sign
a receipt." Seeing the money lying on the desk he signed the
receipt and the clerk handed him the amount, which he counted
and said, " You have paid me, sah, for fourteen cords of wood,
and I want pay for twenty, sah." Mr. Rice said, " I think you are
mistaken." "No, sah! I put twenty cords of wood on the bank,
sah! " At the same time his hand fell on his pocket. Mr. Rice
then said, " We'll have no more controversy about this matter,
sir," and turning to the clerk, said, " Pay this gentleman
twelve dollars more and take a receipt for same." To Mr. Rice's
surprise, when the man came out of the office, he said, " Captain,
call all your men up to this bar, pah: while I call my niggers,
sah! " and he kept drinking with them. Mr. Rice called all the

132 REMINISCENCES OF DAN BICE

service of the boat: the pilot, engineers, firemen., deck-hands,
grooms, canvasmen, and, finally, the performers, and this curious
individual then insisted upon champagne for the ladies. His
bill of fifty dollars he readily paid without offering one word of
remonstrance. The bell now rang for starting. The master
with his slaves got ashore, and, being exceedingly hilarious, they
gave three cheers for the circus. The master shouted, " Captain
Dan, stop and see me on your way down the river, and don't
forget it! " As the boat steamed away up the river, Mr. Rice's
mind was filled with anxious, gloomy thoughts of the dark, hor
rible deeds committed by this man, who was the notorious Tom
May, and especially as to the fate of the Indian agent of General
Ross.

Landing at Little Rock Sunday evening, May 1, 1853, he was
advertised to perform for one week. Having enjoyed the journey
up the river to the fullest extent, and participating in the pleas
ures of never-ending changes that naturally attend such a trip,
Mr. Rice was therefore in excellent condition, and his recupera
tive powers perfect. Before leaving New Orleans he had received
several letters of introduction to prominent people in various parts
of the country through which he had to pass, and among them
was one from Mayor Grossman, of the City of New Orleans, to the
Hon. Albert Pike, the distinguished lawyer of Little Rock, which
letter Mr. Rice presented, and was received with due recognition
and respect, and was introduced to some of the most prominent
citizens of the capital city, who called on Albert Pike at his big
log-cabin home to be presented to the famous clown, who was
Mr. Pike's guest during his week's stay. The friendship formed
at that time continued until the death of Mr. Pike, that grand
specimen of Dame Nature's choice labors. During the week, in
the social intercourse with his distinguished host, Mr. Rice
thought he had discovered what had become of General Ross'
Indian agent. After telling Mr. Pike of his experience at a wood-
yard several miles below the city, that gentleman remarked,
" Friend Rice, I sold to that man a thousand acres of timber land
where that woodyard stands, and it seems a sacrilege almost to
see those great, mammoth trees of walnut, white oak, cherry, and
other valuable woods cut down to be burned on the steamboats."
Mr. Rice remarked, " You must have got a good price for it ? "
" Well, yes,'5 was the answer. " I got five dollars per acre for it."
" How long is it, Mr. Pike, since you sold this land? " He re
plied, " About nine months ago." Mr. Rice said, " Will you ex
cuse me, sir, for being so inquisitive, but what kind of money
was it you received? " He replied, " In gold and bank bills on
the Canal Bank of New Orleans." Mr. Rice remarked, " That
settles it! Many thanks, Mr. Pike; I think I now know the fate

REMINISCENCES OF CAN RICH loo

of General Ross' Indian agent! " That gentleman showed his
surprise when he asked, " Why, Friend Rice, do you know this
man who is proprietor of the woodyard? " " Yes, sir, I do/' was
the answer, *' and his brother Jim, also! " Mr. Pike asked
quickly, " Who are they? " Mr Rice answered, " They were
formerly members of Murrell's gang of land pirates." Then said
Mr. Pike, " My young friend, 1 know them also, but I keep my
own counsel, and I would advise you to do the same, if you ever
expect to visit this country again, for they are very numerous
among us, and the slightest intimation of an expose of any of
them would endanger your life. Many of them occupy promi
nent positions in the mercantile, financial, and stock-raising busi
ness, and are highly respected; are useful citizens and have ex
cellent families." After this expression from Mr. Pike in trying
to mitigate the deed of outlawry among the better representa
tives of the " Murrell gang," Mr. Rice thanked him for his advice
and assured him that he would govern himself accordingly.

Mr. Rice soon after continued his journey up the Arkansas
River as far as Fort Smith, taking in the alternate towns on
either side and remaining one day at Fort Smith. He located
his tent adjoining the United States District Court in the Indian
Territory. Great crowds of people had assembled from all parts
of the country to witness the execution of two Indians condemned
for murder, and Mr. Rice also had the melancholy pleasure of
seeing them make their exit to the happy hunting grounds.
Immediately after the execution the band began playing, the
doors were opened, and, in a short time, the canvas was filled
with a large audience, consisting of about one thousand white
people, one thousand Indians, and five hundred slaves, and the
tickets sold for one dollar singly.

Mr. Rice had the pleasure of meeting the distinguished Dr.
Boniface of the United States Army, whose acquaintance he had
formed at Pittsburg at the Allegheny Arsenal during his boy
hood days, when he drove the carriage for Captain Harding. Mr.
Rice exhibited at night to an audience composed mostly of the
citizens, who turned out en masse, and the artists were the re
cipients of unbounded applause, and the lady performers received
many bouquets. It was the most appreciative audience Mr. Rice
had met on the river since he left Little Rock. The next morn
ing he left Fort Smith to begin the trip down the river, and, stop
ping at Van Buren, gave two performances to a large concourse
of people. He availed himself of the pleasure of visiting the
landlord with whom he stopped the year previous, on the occasion
when he was acting as his own agent in advertising the country.
He found an opportunity of making an inquiry in regard to Gen
eral Ross' Indian agent, and was told that he had not been seen

134: REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

or heard of since he left with the circus agent, having arranged
to ride with him to Batesville. Mr. Rice then inquired of the
landlord if he knew Tom May, and was told that he knew him
well, but had not seen him for over a year, as he had left the
country, having lost his wife, and had located several miles below
Little Rock and had started a woodyard there. Having secured
the required information, the landlord was then invited to come
to the circus and see Dan Rice in his professional attire, and the
gentleman was greatly surprised to recognize in the clown the
circus agent who was his transient guest the year previous, and
he was very much elated to know that the famous clown had been
his guest. After the entertainment the landlord was serenaded
by the circus band and was very lavish in his hospitality, as were
all the people of that country in those early days.

Mr. Rice left the next morning to take in the alternate towns
on the downward trip, and arrived at Little Rock at the end of
a week, remaining there two days, giving four performances.
The entire gross receipts of the second afternoon performance
were given to benefit the " Deaf and Dumb Asylum " at the
suggestion of Albert Pike, who was a philanthropist where be
nevolent institutions were concerned. The gift to the institution
exceeded a thousand dollars and was gratefully recognized by the
officials of the city, represented by Mr. Pike, who spoke in appro
priate words of acknowledgment.

Mr. Rice was delightfully entertained the following day, Sun
day, by the prominent people of the city, and the pleasant asso
ciations will always live in memory. The stay over in Little
Rock also gave the performers a chance to attend religious wor
ship, and, as several members of the troupe were church-going
people, it proved a pleasant source of gratification to their prin
ciples of devotion. At four o'clock in the evening, the circus
moved off down the river after firing a salute with the boat's
cannon, amid the cheers of the throng assembled on the levee,
while the band played its sweetest airs. Arriving just above the
four-mile bar, the boat was tied up for the night as it was hazard
ous to continue the journey in darkness, as the river was full of
snags.

Mr. Rice hailed the captain of a passing steamer and asked him
if there was any wood at May's woodyard. He replied, " No. I
took all there was on the bank; but there is plenty of it cut back
in the timber. I would advise you, Captain Dan, to send May
word to have it on the bank, so that you can get it early in the
morning." Remembering the pressing invitation that he had re
ceived on the upward trip to visit May again, when he descended,
Mr. Rice ordered a yawl and attendants and concluded to attend
to the matter in person, and prepared to arm himself accordingly.

KICK S COAT OF AKMS

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 135

His weapons of defence consisted of a gallon of liquor known as
" nigger " whiskey, a quantity of tobacco, and some cigars. These
articles were indispensable adjuncts to the consummation of a
scheme that Mr. Eice had resolved to execute in regard to the
outlaw who had swindled him out of six cords of wood that he
never received, besides exposing this robber and murderer before
his own slaves and the entire company. In half an hour Mr. Rice
stood in Tom May's presence with his arms filled with ammuni
tion, was greeted with a hearty welcome, and hospitably invited
to take supper, that consisted of the inevitable " hog-meat " and
" corn-dodgers " that had just been prepared. Having accepted
May's invitation to remain during the night, Mr. Rice made
known his errand — that of procuring twenty cords of wood. The
negroes were roused from their quarters and at once proceeded to
cart the wood to the river bank while the proprietor made inroads
upon the whiskey and tobacco, and Mr. Rice smoked his cigar.
A peculiar rigid custom prevailed in those early days among the
banditti, as well as among the best of the better classes, in
requiring a guest to drink even though he should feel inclined to
refuse. It was in this situation that Mr. Rice found himself; but
being equal to any emergency, he pretended to indulge from his
leaden cup, drinking a health each time to the worthy proprietor
of the woodyard, and thus satisfied his host that he had partaken
equally with him. In the meantime he regaled the outlaw with
story and song, allowing the whiskey to furnish the finale, which
came sooner than was expected, for May was so helplessly over
come that his body-servant was obliged to put him to bed, after
which service he retired to his quarters, and Mr. Rice was left
alone with the branded outlaw, who soon began to indulge in
what subsequently proved to be an habitual performance of the
nasal organs, which Mr. Rice describes, in his inimitable way, as,
" A whirlwind of cadences as furious as the attempts of an ama
teur brass band." Mr. Rice, in order to perfect the projects of
his scheme, proceeded to disarm his host by securing his pistols,
rifle, and bowie-knife, the only weapons he could discover in the
cabin, and concealed them, unobserved, under the bank of the
river. On returning to the cabin he found his host still indulg
ing in his involuntary and furious pastime, and taking a candle
from the table, looked long and searchingly into Tom May's
countenance as he lay in his unconsciousness. He read in the
yielding features that he was not long for this world and would
soon pass before a tribunal whose legal chains would bind him
round about with bands like steel, from which he could not
escape on account of his cruel deeds. The early dawn was now
approaching and the steamboat blew her whistle for landing, so
Mr. Rice left the cabin and repaired to the river bank where the

130 BEMIXISCEtfCES OF DAK RICE

slaves with their ox teams were hauling and cording the wood.
The boat " rounded to" and., coming to the woodyard, the stag
ing was run out, and the working brigade commenced rapidly
" toting " the wood aboard. Tom May's body-servant came to
Mr. Kice as he was watching the proceedings and asked him if
he should wake up his master. Mr. Rice replied, " Yes, wake
him up; put him in good shape and tell him I've invited him to
come down to the boat and take breakfast with me." In half an
hour he made his appearance at the cabin door, and roughly ac
cused his negroes with stealing his " shooting-irons/' which they
all denied most emphatically, saying, " We all clar to God, Mars'
Tom, we hain't bin nigh dat yah cabin, fer sence yer called us
we's bin totin' wood all night." Finding they were all combined
in declaring their innocence he made no more comments and al
lowed his body-servant to take him on Mr. Rice's boat, and after
indulging in a couple of " whiskey cocktails " to set him straight,
he went with Mr. Rice to the boiler deck and smoked while wait
ing for breakfast. The following conversation took place as they
enjoyed the morning air, and May asked, " Captain Dan, how did
you sleep last night?" "I didn't sleep at all, sir!" "Why,
sah? " asked May. " Because you gave me such a musical enter
tainment," said Mr. Rice, " that I laid awake to listen to it, sir."
" What do you mean, sah? " " Why, you snored so loud that an
elephant couldn't sleep in your presence," said Mr. Rice. " You
tell me, sah, that I snore, sah?" asked May. " Yes, sir! " an
swered Mr. Rice, being emboldened to speak out plainly, as May
was unarmed, and, also knowing that most men are sensitive on
that point, he was not safe in declaring himself. At this point
of the proceedings, May arose, and straightening his huge frame
of six feet to its full height, assumed a threatening attitude. Mr.
Rice simultaneously arose also, expecting an attack from the
outlaw, when May said, " Capt. Dan Rice, do you tell me that
I snore, sah?" "Yes, sir," answered Mr. Rice emphatically.
" Well, sah," said May, " understand distinctly, sah, that I am the
boss snorer of Arkansas! " and he broke into a laugh as he spoke
these words. The company that had by this time assembled in
dulged heartily in its appreciation of the curious expression of the
outlaw when they interpreted his joke and Mr. Rice also caught
the infection, and Tom May's joke became proverbial. The bell
now rang for breakfast, after which the mate of the boat came to
Mr. Rice and informed him that the wood was all on board and
the steam up ready for the start. Tom May was hurried to the
office to get his money, and signed the receipt for forty dollars,
his signature being almost unintelligible as he was still nervous
from the debauch of the night before. As Mr. Rice handed him
the money he said, " Tom, it's a poor rule that won't work both

HEMIXISCEXCES OF DAN RICE 137

ways. When I took wood from you on iny up trip, you bulldozed
me out of twelve dollars for six cords of wood that I never re
ceived." Pressing the money into Tom's hand, he continued,
'k There's your thirty-four dollars, all you're entitled to. Now,
get ashore! " Calling the body-servant, he ordered him to take
his master on shore. All the troupe were assembled on the
guards and deck of the boat to hear the announcement that Mr.
Rice had to make. As May stood at the end of the plank par
tially bewildered by the turn of the tide of affairs, and trying to
collect his scattered thoughts and recover his failing powers, al
though he knew he was unarmed, Mr. Rice turned to the company
and, calling their attention, said, " This is Tom May, an outlaw,
once a member of the notorious Murrell gang of land pirates. I
stayed at his home one night about a year ago and he hasn't recog
nized me. I had accompanying me a gentleman who was Gen
eral Ross' Indian agent, and on his way to Nashville to procure
supplies for the Cherokee reservation. He concluded to return
to Van Buren, while I proceeded on to Batesville. He has never
been seen or heard of since, but that man, Tom May, knows what
became of him, and so do I! " The wretched man on the river
bank grew ashen with fury as the accusing words fell upon his
ear and he glared at Mr. Rice, who continued, " This agent had
ten thousand dollars in gold and bank bills on the Canal Bank of
New Orleans secured in a belt around his waist, and that man
Tom May knew it. He murdered and robbed him! " May then
grew desperate and shouted to his servant, " Go get my rifle! "
and the rest of the slaves stood aghast, stupefied by this terrible
declaration. The servant returned without the rifle, which Mr.
Rice had previously hidden the night before, apprehending some
difficulty with the desperado, and May's face grew dark with rage
and his body quivered with pent-up execrations that never found
voice in words. And Mr. Rice continued, " With part of that
money he purchased this land of Gen. Albert Pike, of Little Rock.
Now, Tom May, I advise you to make peace with your God, for
your days are numbered, and if you do not die a natural death,
and if I live to get to Batesville, you will die with a rope around
your neck." The wretched being never uttered a word, but
turned away and slowly made his way back to his cabin, his once
erect form now bending with his load of gui-lt. The boat moved
from the landing-place and proceeded on her journey while the
last act of a cruel tragedy was being performed in the miserable
home of the notorious Tom May. The end came quickly, for,
strange to tell, when Captain Creighton of the regular steamer
of the Memphis line overtook Mr. Rice at Pine Bluff the next
day, he informed him that Tom May, at the woodyard, had died
during the night while in delirium tremens. Thus justice doth

138 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

work out her deeds in her peculiar way. Mr. Rice says he will
ever regret leaving the remainder of that gallon of whiskey witli
May, for it would have given him great satisfaction to have been
instrumental in hanging the first man in Arkansas for murder.

CHAPTER XVII:

MEETING WITH JEFFERSON DAVIS — A CIRCUS ~ CRCESUS —
SHADOWS OF COMING EVENTS — CALM BEFORE THE STORM-
DOUGLAS AND LEE — AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW — " SEE
ING THE ELEPHANT" — A LUDICROUS "ELUCIDATION"
RING AND ROSTRUM — PATRIOTISM AND PRICE — SENATOR
CAMERON'S OMINOUS ORDER — RICE ON THE TRACK-
PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S PRACTICAL JOKE.

rTIHE season of 1854 proved to be the most successful one in
JL Colonel Rice's professional career. It was an unbroken
series of triumphs, almost without parallel in the circus world of
those days, unmarred as it was throughout by accidents or mis
adventures so inseparable from the rush and hustle, risks and
trials of the transportation of circus troupes while on the road.

The season closed with a net profit of over $100,000 — a well-
nigh unprecedented gain in those days.

In the spring Colonel Rice bade farewell to New Orleans, dis
posing of his interest in the famous amphitheatre and museum,
and removed his entire circus outfit to Schenectady, N". Y., where
he wintered with his family at the Gibbons Hotel.

In the fall of that year he made a tour of the Southwestern
States. Whilst exhibiting at Calhoun, Pittsboro County, Miss.,
Colonel Rice received his first introduction to Jefferson Davis.
It was brought about at a banquet given in honor of the stalwart
Secessionist. The Colonel delivered the address of welcome to
the illustrious guest. Davis, at that time, was a popular idol.
Mr. Rice describes him as a man of most marvellous personal
magnetism, modest of bearing, reserved yet not secretive — all in
all, a man of most engaging personality and yet possessed of the
most radical and positive traits. An obstinate extremist in his
views of public men and measures, but most courteous, hospitable,
and conservative in his social relations. " Davis," adds Uncle
Dan, " was an immortal lover and an eternal hater."

It was customary in those ante-bellum days for Northern and
Southern friends at parting to exchange gifts — swap souvenirs
as it were. Colonel Rice presented the great agitator with a sil-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 139

ver-mounted rabbit's foot, expressing the hope that the talismanic
traditions associated with the souvenir would not fail of ful
filment. In return he received a rare Mexican silver coin,
which General Davis had picked up on the battlefield of Cha-
pultapec.

During the subsequent seasons from 1855 to 1859, and until the
outbreak of the Civil War, Colonel Rice " swung around the
circle/' as he puts it, from Dan to Beersheba, from himself, as it
were, alternately to the remotest points of the circus compass;
in truth from the wit eat lands of the frigid North to the Rice
fields of the Sunny South. A sort of " Cereal Circle," adds
Uncle Dan. He had now reached the topmost crescent of the
wave of prosperity.

Professional triumphs and honors crowded thick and fast upon
him, bringing pecuniary profits to his coffers, with such fabulous
rapidity, that the late Governor Curtin of Pennsylvania was con
strained at a banquet given in his honor to characterize the
Prince of Jesters as the Croesus of the Circus. The spring of
1860 found the Mammoth Show at the National Capital.

At Fairfax Court House was given the initial performance of a
tour through Virginia and other Southern States, which was
destined to be the last appearance of Colonel Rice in the Southern
Circuit for many years.

Coming events began to cast their shadows before. The cords
of the national heart, harassed with maddening doubts and
equally fatuous hopes, were even then straining at the leash of
reason, swayed as they were by the passion of sectional prejudice
and political bigotry.

The terrible tension upon the popular patience and patriotic
pride of all lovers of the Union, the intemperate and impulsive
utterances of Southern sympathizers and Northern fanatics, had
already begun to tell on every side. Washington society was a
smouldering volcano. The suspense was oppressive, the ominous
calm before the storm. Men in every station of life, political
giants, financial kings, all men, Southern and Northern alike,
felt the stifling dread of impending danger.

Bosom friends looked askance, or greeted each other in a
perfunctory way. Kinsmen felt the most sacred ties gradually
loosen and unravel under the pitiable strain.

Tn the light of after years, when the " storm had spent itself "
and that " heavenly calm like a herald of hell " was dispelled—
little wonder that the reader may find food for gratifying thought
in the following incidents which occurred in those feverish days
at the National Capital.

Colonel Rice, on his way to his apartments one early morning
in the spring of 1860, met two men, one of whom subsequently

140 KEMINISCENCES OE DAN BICE

became a Northern candidate for the Presidency and the other
Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate Army — Stephen A.
Douglas and Eobert E. Lee.

A friendship of many years' standing existed between Douglas,
Lee, and Eice. The former, after his " early bird " appearance
had been explained, by the fact that he had passed a sleepless
night, suddenly turned to Eice and said, " I left my home to
shake off a feeling of utter loneliness that oppressed me, hoping
to find in the bustle of the streets some relief, some rest, but I
feel more isolated here somehow. A strange sense of mystery
seems to envelop everything — men, all things — like the ' heav
enly calm half heralding a veritable hell '; I wish it wrere over
with, the dread of the result, but what it may be is as nothing to
the agony of the doubt." Pausing a moment Colonel Eice queried
" Do you refer to the outcome, Mr. Douglas? " " No, no," thun
dered Douglas, " not the end but the beginning, when and how
will the first blow be struck ? "

At that moment Col. Eobert E. Lee approached from an oppo
site direction. The bearing of the gallant Lee was in marked
contrast with the too apparent moodiness of the " little giant,"
marked as it was by that old-school heartiness of greeting and the
inimitable charm of unaffected camaraderie with which he, after
inquiring about Mr. Douglas7 health, rallied him concerning his
failure to be present at the circus, which Colonel Lee had at
tended the previous night.

The trio separated, Douglas continuing down Pennsylvania
Avenue with his chin on his breast and his hands dug deep in
his trousers pockets, Colonels Lee and Eice meanwhile proceed
ing in an opposite direction. When the latter had informed
Colonel Lee of what Mr. Douglas had said, he smilingly re
marked that the beginning concerned him but little; the where
and when the trouble would be precipitated affected his rest far
less than when and how the termination would be reached; the
length, the briefness of it, these were the perplexing doubts that
haunted him. "But," he added, as he bade Colonel Eice good-
by, " Uncle Dan, we are friends to-day despite the insecurity and
uncertainty of matters political, let us hope to live — Douglas,
you, and I — to renew again under one flag, when the storm has
spent itself, the friendship that exists to-day."

Shortly after leaving Washington with his company, Colonel
Eice disposed of his interest in the Great Show without, however,
severing his connection with it.

It was about the time he issued a life-size pictorial sheet repre
senting an elephant performing on a tight-rope, and another an
tipodean extravaganza showing the same beast standing on his
head. The publication of the " Elephantine " poster aroused the

IIEM1XISCENCES OF DAN HICE

curiosity of the public to concert pitch. The announcement
was regarded as a huge circus joke, an incredible but pardon
able instance of the license permitted the projectors of circus-
posters.

The following incident will serve to illustrate the skepticism of
the amusement-loving people and the harsh awakening that re
sulted. At Danbury, Conn., a State which despite its wooden
nutmeg and hat-block industries, the late P. T. Barnum once said
was productive of the most prolific growth of gullible guys in all
New England, Colonel Rice and his elephantine wonder had en
countered a veritable cyclone of criticism. Either the most
fecund manager had fibbed about his native State for some in
scrutable advertising purpose, or else the people must have seen
a new light since the days when the Woolly Horse and What Is It?
befogged their mental vision. There had inevitably been wrought
a miraculous change. The pyrrhonist was everywhere when Eice
and the rhinoceros put in an appearance. Doubting Thomases
and deriding skeptics had sprung forth from the " gullible
ground " from which P. T. Barnum had reaped so rich a harvest.
Colonel Rice suffered as a result. The press pilloried the " fakes,"
public opinion took up the matter, and in consequence a commit
tee of citizens waited on Colonel Rice and requested an oppor
tunity to investigate the " animile." One night in the presence
of a crowded house this wish was gratified. The spokesman of
the committee, a veterinary surgeon and horse expert (?), of some
suburban standing, remarked as he stepped into the ring, that
he would proceed to " elucidate." Uncle Dan held the head of
the beast in chancery with an iron chain connecting with a ring
in the proboscis, while the chairman critically proceeded to ex
amine the " mechanism " of the mastodon. He had reached the
rear of the pachydermatous mammal, when the latter suddenly
swung about, and, upsetting Colonel Rice, caught the " elucida-
tor " on his horns, hurling him across the ring ropes into the row
of seats. For a brief moment the audience became panic-stricken.
Colonel Rice vaulted over the embankment and soon reached the
far-from-doubting but thoroughly dishevelled elucidator, who
rapidly recovered his equilibrium and returned with the Colonel
to the ring, where, turning to his fellow committeemen, he
shouted in piercing sibilants, " Darn yer, come and finish the job;
if that yar i animile ' is all mechaniz then I'll be goll darned if
he aren't got more life in him that a i Sandy Hill's hornet.' ':

It is needless to add, however, that his fellow committeemen
had ere this fully realized the enchantment of distance.

Later, however, complications threatened to keep Uncle Dan
himself some time on the horns of a dilemma, when it was bruited
about that the said " elucidator " was going to invoke legal re-

142 KEMLNlSCENCEb OE DAN KICE

dress for the injuries to his dignitary. The affair, however, was
amicably adjusted.

A few years later, at St. Louis, Uncle Dan concluded one of the
most unprecedented engagements ever made in that city, that is,
considering the excited state of the popular mind and the hard
times then prevailing. Wherever Colonel Rice went, from the
St. Lawrence to the Delta of the Father of Waters, his patriotism
kept pace with his popularity. From the hour when Louisiana
seceded from the Union, when, standing in the centre of his
great circus tent pitched on St. Charles Street, New Orleans, he
unfolded the folds of the stars and stripes and appealed to his
Southern brethren to stem the tide that might engulf and efface
from among the nations of the earth that glorious emblem, with
the thrilling traditions of heroic deeds that hallowed its past, on
and up to the fatal hour, when, at Chicago, he became unmanned
and wept in a pitiful way in the circus ring, when he was com
pelled to announce the tragic end of the immortal Lincoln, the
honest, fearless patriot and true American endeared himself alike
to Southern and Northern friends by a fearless, almost reckless,
devotion to the Union, and on more than one occasion their
friendship stayed the hand of many a would-be assassin. And
yet he never spoke slightingly of his friends south of Mason and
Dixon's line, but lived on fostering in every way the hope that the
peerless Lee gave voice to, bringing again the day when fraternal
hands would grasp each other under the old flag under a newer
and more enduring republic. Such were his heartfelt sympathies;
such he believed to be the correct ideas of those who cherish the
bravery and honor of our ancestors. Little occasion for wonder
then that Colonel Rice turned the circus ring into a rostrum,
where North and South he alternately discussed with an eloquent
fervor the issues of the hour, pleading now with impassioned
vehemence for the Union and again hurling scathing invectives
at those who sought its destruction. A little incident which oc
curred at Louisville, Ky., aptly illustrates in a characteristic way
Uncle Dan's methods in the direction indicated. George D.
Prentiss visited the national theatre and was the recipient of a
marked compliment from the celebrated humorist, who after ad
verting upon the calamities of the country and the disasters
which had befallen the Union cause through political "prestidiga-
tators," expressed his pride and satisfaction at the attendance of
the great and patriotic editor. " That man," said Colonel Rice,
pointing to a gentleman who occupied a conspicuous position in
one of the boxes, " is George D. Prentiss, of Louisville." The
effect was electrical, the audience rose en masse and gave three
cheers for the great journalist, followed by as many more for Rice
himself.

THE "CALL IX TIME" COACH

DAN KICK'S CAKKIAGE

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 143

September, 1SG1, found the Great Show homeward bound.
For some time Colonel liice had been hard at work speaking for
the Union with fearless energy throughout the South, leaving the
circus combinations to run itself. The following analysis of the
man., his motives and methods of advocating the Union cause
may be quoted with singular appropriateness in this connection.
It is from the pen of an unknown contributor to a Northern
paper:

" I attended a public meeting in Mason City, Va., a few days
since, and among those who spoke was a gentleman by the name
of Eice, whom the venerable Lincoln introduced as a citizen from
Erie County Pa., in the Keystone State. Of course, as a Penn-
sylvanian, I felt an interest in the man; so, therefore, I gave his
remarks more than ordinary attention. He wras eloquent, power
ful, and easy in his address and manner, and won the admiration
of all who surrounded his rostrum. His practical knowledge of
the habits of men in different localities and the system he pur
sued in pointing out the impossibility of the success of secession
was no less significant for its originality than its truthfulness. He
told what the manufacturing North could do, and how essential
the activity, genius, and skill of her people were to the welfare
of the great agricultural territory of the ' Sunny South/ He did
not abuse or ridicule any people for their peculiarities or scoff at
the manners or conventionalities of those who live in certain lo
calities. He showed himself a Union man who had made the
history of his country a study, whose object it was to preserve
it whole and undivided, and cause it to go conquering and to
conquer.

" But who do you suppose this fine orator to have been? No
less a personage than Dan Eice, the American humorist, whom I
had seen and heard frequently in Quakeropolis. I heard that
Dan was smart, but had no idea that his talents ran in a political
channel. He is dignified on the platform, but, as in his profes
sional circle, evidently seems to command.

" He is not an enthusiast, neither does he appear like a man
who is laboring for the gratification of personal ambition or pecu
niary advantage. To speak plainly, he talks like a well-informed,
educated gentleman, who knows what he is talking about, and
who works for the love of the cause he has enlisted in. I do not
know whether he has a desire for office, and I presume he has not,
but it occurred to me that a man like him, who has travelled so
far, has observed so much and was so familiar with the wants,
habits, and manners of the people of all localities, could not speak
in vain among the law-givers and sage councils of the nation.
Perhaps the next place I may encounter this rising young man,
Eice, will be in the State Senate, or in the Halls of Congress.

144 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

More unlikely things have happened, and men of far less ability
and character have been honored in that way. Depend upon it,
that Rice will make his mark and turn his abilities to good ac
count."

In 1861, at Baton Rouge, Colonel Rice received a letter from
the secretary of the Confederate Navy, at Montgomery, Ala., re
questing information as to whether his steamboat, " James Ray
mond/' could be purchased, and on what terms. Rice replied,
in a diplomatic way, asking for time to consider the proposition.
It was a time when temporizing was tantamount to treason. As
no answer was received Uncle Dan " pulled up stakes " and
sought safety in flight, being well aware that the next step would
result in confiscation at any price. Subsequently, in 1862, whilst
exhibiting in Washington at the National Theatre, a sensational
but withal ludicrous sequel grew out of this incident. One eve
ning whilst indulging in the barbarous pastime of being shaved
at Willard's Hotel, Senator Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania,
then Secretary of War, after greeting Colonel Rice in a somewhat
brusque manner, informed him, in an austere and somewhat dic
tatorial tone, that the President desired to see him immediately.
Dan demurred, as his circus performance was about to commence.
Cameron becoming apparently incensed at Rice's apparent indif
ference, remarked as he walked away in a significant tone, " Well,
a bayonet prod may prove more effective." Uncle Dan became
suddenly distraught. Something was wrong — there was trouble
brewing; and so when, after the circus ended, he received an ad
ditional summons to appear before the President, he lost little
time presenting himself at the White House. The cabinet was in
session. Rice was ushered in. The first to greet him was the
President, who with an air of almost oppressive gravity inquired,
if he, Colonel Rice, had while at New Orleans an interview with
Secretary Thompson of the Confederacy; if he had not been in
communication with members of the Confederate cabinet; if he
had not offered to sell his steamboat to the Johnny Rebs; if he
had not written a letter to that effect; if he had not received a
reply bearing favorably upon that offer, etc., etc. The rapidity
with which these questions were uttered, the grave bearing and
intensely severe expression of the venerable President's face al
most caused the Colonel to collapse. He looked hurriedly from
one cabinet officer to the other, and felt he was up against a crisis.
With fiery indignation he denied the charge, protested his patri
otism, his loyalty, and was about launching out in an impassioned,
and possibly immortal burst of eloquent defence, when Secretary
Stanton stepped forward and. presenting a dog-eared letter for
the Colonel's inspection, asked him if the signature attached to
that communication was written by Colonel Rice. The Secretary

REMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE 145

would not permit the great showman to scan its contents. The
Colonel,, now bewildered beyond relief, admitted its genuineness,
but not before he brought his list down with tremendous force
on the table fronting him and demanded to know " what in h — 11
it all meant ? " President Lincoln roared laughing, the spell was
broken; the other members of the cabinet joined in the merri
ment, and a few moments later Uncle Dan realized he had been
the victim of a practical joke. The letter written by him to the
Secretary of the Confederacy had been intercepted in transit by
the Federal authorities and forwarded to Washington. It fur
nished a clew to turn the laugh on the professional merrymaker,
whose aggressive patriotism was as familiar as his fun-making
fame.

It was at this time while performing at the old Bowery Theatre,
New York, under the management of Sam Stickney, that Mr.
Spaulding sought him out and begged Uncle Dan to bridge over
the estrangements of the past — bury the hatchet so to speak, and
renew their business associations. This, at first blush, was re
volting to the feelings of the Colonel, who protested that, al
though he never carried a grudge against living or dead, and
therefore whilst willing to forgive the ruin which the revengeful
acts of his old enemy, abetted by his partner Van Orden, had beset
his career, still a business alliance was quite another matter, and
one which he did not desire to undertake. Spaulding pleaded
his personal regard for Rice, and sought Stickney's assistance to
placate the Colonel. But Rice was relentless. For several days
Spaulding labored in many ways to accomplish his purpose. He
finally renewed his efforts, through a mutual friend, with the
result that Uncle Dan yielded and a contract was executed, which
in consideration of $5,000 gave Spaulding an undivided one-half
interest in the profits of the show. This somewhat unnatural
business union lasted three years, and was finally terminated in
18G4, through the dishonesty of Mr. Spaulding's sons, who, in
various capacities, were identified with the enterprise. Colonel
Rice closed his season at Pittsburg, Pa., October 5, 1864, where
his mammoth circus properties went into winter quarters. In
the spring of 1862 the troupe travelled through Canada west,
entering at Sarnia and trailed along the line of the Grand Trunk
to Kingston, leaving the province for Oswego on board the
steamer "American Lake." Shortly after the steamer had started
for Oswego with Colonel Rice and his retinue a salute of seven
guns was fired in honor of his departure. This was about three
or four o'clock Sunday morning. The " good-by-boom," accord
ing to Uncle Dan, came from Fort Frederick. He had formed
the acquaintance of many of the garrison stationed there, hence
this flattering display of their good will.
10

146 REMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

CHAPTEK XVII.

IN January, 1861, the principal cities on the Ohio and Missis
sippi were visited by the Great Show. At New Orleans
Colonel Rice joined his company. His reappearance in the Cres
cent City was the occasion for many remarkable demonstrations
of popular favor. The war fever was rapidly spreading. To
uphold " Old Glory " on the one hand; to preach the gospel of
the Union, and on the other hand to hold his grasp upon the
popular heart, of which he was a veritable idol, was a stupendous
task, drawing to the utmost upon the resourcefulness of the man.
But Dan's diplomacy and native tact won the day. Whilst ex
hibiting at New Orleans, the following eloquent tribute, paid
Uncle Dan by " Chips," the brilliant correspondent of the New
York " Spirit of the Times," very effectively emphasizes the es
teem in which the genial jester was held:

MY DEAR COLONEL PORTER: Did you ever meet Dan Rice?
I presume you have, as it has been your luck to enjoy the pleas
urable associations of nearly all worthy dignitaries. But for fear
you have not, let me, for my own personal gratification and the
edification of some of your many thousand readers, give you my
opinion of the man. Now as a general thing I am not a very
ardent admirer of the circus, and as for clowns, why I abominate
them. Joe Millerisms are good enough in their way, but when a
fellow in a motley garb with a spotted countenance and white
washed cheek, attempts to pass them off on me as original witti
cisms, I feel disposed to treat the aforesaid mountebank in a re
markably hostile manner. A good ring jester I had not seen
since William F. Wallett was here some few years ago, so, actuated
by curiosity, I was persuaded to forsake the legitimate drama,
forswear the opera, repudiate the burnt-cork melodies, and neg
lect the charming Maggie Mitchell, who was at that moment
aforesaid playing the ancient and venerable gentleman in black
with susceptible young men who have a proclivity for handsome
young girls with neat gaiters on pretty feet, short dresses, capital
bonnets, curly hair, and saucy eyes, all of which teasing adjuncts
Miss Maggie has got at command.

Well, to turn from the sublime to the ridiculous, I went into
the Academy, when, judge of my surprise to find, instead of an
ugly clown who unscrupulously murdered the King's English and
made grimaces with impunity, a well-built, commanding gen
tleman, dressed in a court suit, and who walked with grace,
manly bearing, and dignity, with a youthful face, a fine forehead,
an expressive eye, and a fascinating mobility of countenance.

REMINISCENCES OF DAX HICE

Dan Rice stood before me. He began to talk. He alluded to
the state of public affairs; he interspersed his remarks with
quaint, funny, and, withal, modest incidents. 1 was agreeably
disappointed, and 1 wondered how a man so eminently endowed
by nature, with a well-balanced mind, a quick intellect, and a
liberal education, could possibly have devoted so many years to
that pursuit, which, though honorable enough in its way, can
never rank with professions that now command the respect and
admiration of the world.

Rice is, however, a genius, and one who will be regarded as a
bright light, and through his example and efforts the " Show
men " are somewhat higher in the social scale than formerly.

What a romance of reality would Rice's career make! Person
ally, I don't know him, but the impression he made upon me was
most favorable. I have been told that he has been made the vic
tim of many misrepresentations and is the child of misfortune,
but that his indomitable will, firmness of mind, and powers of
forbearance have enabled him to live down all obstacles. So
might it be. Perhaps, dear Colonel, when I know more of Rice, I
may have something more to say about him.

" CHIPS."

CHAPTER XVIII.

IN THE CRESCENT CITY — PATRIOTISM AND POPULARITY — THE
GREAT CLOWN'S CANDIDACY — A CRITIC'S CONCLUSION —
IN THE MANAGERIAL HARNESS ONCE AGAIN — A MAM
MOTH UNDERTAKING — SHOWMAN AND POLITICIAN — UNCLE
DAN BREAKS DOWN — THE FUN-FACTORY AFTER FORTY
YEARS SHUTS DOWN — A FAREWELL TOUR AND FINAL BOW
—PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL TRIUMPHS.

IX 1864 he was nominated for the State Senate of Pennsylvania
by the soldiers. He was in the Far West at that time and had
but two weeks to give his answer, which was to the effect that if
they ran him they must do it upon their responsibility as he had
no time to devote to the labors of a political campaign. He ran
eighteen hundred votes ahead of the ticket, and was thankful for
the narrow escape he made from being elected, for he could not,
under existing circumstances, serve a term as State Senator. His
letter of acceptance had but one week's time for circulation
among the people of the district.

Later, in 1800. ho WPS nominated by the soldiers of the 19th
Congressional District, Pennsylvania. Colonel Rice declined the

KEMINISCENCES OF DAX RICE

honor., withdrawing in favor of Glenni W. Schofield, who was
elected.

In April, 1865, Colonel Eice was engaged by Forepaugh &
O'Brien, opening at the Walnut Street Amphitheatre, Philadel
phia. Subsequently, whilst with his greatest show at Chicago,
Colonel Eice received the news of the assassination of President
Lincoln. He at once cancelled all future engagements and re
turned to his home in Girard, Pa. Later he purchased the Mabey
Bros/ circus outfit. He also secured the first herd of sacred
cattle ever brought to this country, at a cost of $5,000^, and ex
hibited the beautiful beasts throughout the Lake cities. They
were purchased from the Hofnagel estate at Xew Hope, Pa. In.
1866 he renewed his copartnership with Forepaugh, making a
tour of the Middle States. A year later he appeared again under
the management of Cooper, Gardner & Hemming, receiving
$1,000 a week for his services. The years of 1866 and 1867 found
Colonel Eice in the managerial harness once again. He launched
another mammoth enterprise, a circus and menagerie, organized
on a scale hitherto unrivalled in variety and novelty of attraction
and lavish expenditure of time and money. It was the largest,
most complete, and successful venture ever undertaken by Colo
nel Eice. The menagerie embraced, among many other remark
able attractions, some of the rarest quadruped novelties known
to the amusement-loving people of two continents, and without
a shadow of doubt, the most costly stud of educated horses ever
seen the world over, was represented in this marvellous aggrega
tion. Excelsior, the most wonderfully trained horse on earth,
whose equal has never been seen before or since, was the star
attraction. The act performed by this blind horse, borne as he
was on a platform carried on the shoulders of twelve stalwart at
tendants, who paraded the living statuesque equine around the
ring, the horse resting on three legs, while one of his forefeet was
adjusted with graceful effect on a pedestal, presented one of the
most exquisitely picturesque tableaux ever conceived by a horse
trainer or limned by a Bosa Bonheur. The arenic attractions
presented to the public an array of talent never gathered together
theretofore under one canvased roof and in a single ring. This
unique and complete exhibition of circus and menagerie made a
tour of the Atlantic seaboard States, giving a final exhibition on
the cotton factory lot, Second Street above North, in the City of
Harrisburg, Pa. His presence there was the occasion of the fol
lowing tribute to him as a showman, as a patriot, and something
of a politician:

" Mr. Bice as a showman has a reputation in his line of business
which is unequalled, and is known to almost every man, woman,
and child in the country. In his private walks of life he has be-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

come equally famous for his liberality and undaunted persever
ance. In giving one or two instances to illustrate this, we hope
he will pardon us for thus bringing his private with his public
reputation in print. We have given, from time to time, the
movements in different counties of our State for the purpose of
erecting monuments to their brave sons who fell in the Eebellion,
but as yet, in no instance, excepting one, have we learned of the
consummation of this praiseworthy purpose, and in this we are
indebted to the liberality of the man that almost every negro and
bootblack on the street familiarly styles ' Dan Rice, the Clown.'
Mr. Eice, though by no means a * million heir/ partaking of the
patriotic spirit, went to work at once, obtained the consent of the
authorities of the town he resides in, Girard, Erie County, and
erected, at his own expense, a magnificent monument to the
soldiers who fell in battle from that county, costing him thou
sands of dollars. Xor is this the only instance of his liberality,
his frequent contributions to the sick and wounded soldiers, are
acts deserving the highest praise.

Mr. Eice has also taken considerable part in political matters,
and was about this time nominated for State Senator by his
friends in a district largely against the party of which he was the
nominee, but was so popular that his opponent barely escaped
defeat by a very small vote. Dan was off travelling with his
show, but had he remained at home and taken the stump in the
canvas, he would have been elected. He had recently travelled
much through the South, and since his return, at the request of
Secretary Seward, has given the government much valuable in
formation relative to those States." — Ilarrisburg Patriot and
Union.

After thirty weeks of the most brilliant campaign he had ever
experienced Colonel Eice, mentally jaded and physically ex
hausted, returned to his palatial home in Girard, Pa. He was
shattered in health and his physician urged a much needed rest.
But not for long. The merrymaker's mercurial nature would not
be denied. Eest wras one thing — restraint quite another. Of
physicians, Uncle Dan had a healthy abhorrence, presumably
because he had been something of a " Medicine Man " himself.
His confinement chafed. It wras a sort of strait-jacket to his
animal spirits. The fun-factory, which had been running, and
working overtime at that, for forty consecutive years, was rusting
with inaction. To plan was but to put into practical operation,
or as Uncle Dan says, " With me it was at that time a case of
kicking and conquering. I won out, got on my feet and put into
execution a determination to make a farewell tour of the principal
cities of the Xorth and West. T had amassed, it is true, several
fortunes. I have given all but the one I now had away. I was

150 HEMLNISCENCES OF DAN BICE

tempted to enjoy it. I decided to withdraw from the amusement
world. This would be my final bow." That tour was an extraor
dinary series of professional successes and personal triumphs,
born only of the esteem and admiration in which he was held and
which were rarely if ever before accorded to an entertainer in his
peculiar sphere.

The following eloquent tributes of the press at this time gave
an added interest to his Western tour, which seemed destined to
mark the close of his circus career among a people whose regard
for him as a man was scarcely paralleled by their admiration for
him in a professional role.

From the " Milwaukee Sentinel : "

The attendance at Dan Eice's Great Show yesterday was in
deed complimentary considering the intense heat, and both enter
tainments fully justified our remarks of yesterday. Both per
formers and animals seemed inspired by the rest obtained during
their sojourn in our beautiful city, and one and all played their
parts excellently well. As for the great centre of attraction, Col.
Dan Rice, he even outdid himself. Although physically greatly
depressed and hoarse to a painful degree, he summoned both
muscular and mental powers to do justice to the occasion of his
farewell to his warm Milwaukee friends, and never on the saw
dust was witnessed and enjoyed as bright and too brief an hour of
eloquence, pathos, wit, and humor.

In doffing his helmet of felt to say good-by forever, Dan was
particularly happy and touching in his remarks. After warmly
thanking his friends in this vicinity for the patronage and per
sonal encouragement which had invariably greeted hinL, he mod
estly and beautifully alluded to the disposition of the immense
sums of money he had made in his arduous and often misunder
stood profession. He stated that during a career of nearly thirty
years he had given various charitable objects the munificent sum
of nearly a million and a half dollars. He did not speak of it
boastfully, but seemed really impressed with a true sense of the
blessing Providence had bestowed upon him in permitting him
the privilege of so generously giving.

Dan Rice is truly a remarkable man — remarkable for the abil
ity, energy, and success which has marked his career; remarkable
for philanthropy not to have been looked for in one who had much
of discouragement and disadvantage to contend with, and still
more remarkable for an earnest desire to elevate and benefit
where selfishness and hard-heartedness were to be looked for.

In bidding him farewell, we really regret to part with one who
has afforded us so much pleasure, and perhaps taught us lessons
of charity in estimating deeds rather than professions."

UICE IX KIJS'G COSTUMK

KEM1X1SCENCES OF DAN KICE 151

The " Pittsburg Republic " says of the farewell tour: The
rush to see the equestrian idol of the masses and to hear his words
of farewell was perfectly tremendous. A living avalanche
threatened to bury the ticket wagon and poured into the tent
until every available foot was occupied,, and the closing of the
doors upon grievously disappointed hundreds of applicants for
admission was rendered imperative. But the merry genius of the
ring, made a charmed one by the wit and humor of him whose
shoulders the mantle of Momus has dropped, waved his baton of
felt over the vast throng, and good humor, sometimes perhaps
just a little boisterous, was the rule without exception. No
other living man but Dan Eice could have so successfully con
trolled such a crowd, whose anxiety to see and hear everything
would have defeated itself but for that firm and yet not un
gracious management born of the ability to command. Mr. Eice's
appearance in the ring was greeted with cheers and continued
applause. It was apparent that the severe labors of the thirty
weeks' amusement campaign he was about so brilliantly to con
clude had severely taxed even his iron constitution, but rallying
with wonted determination and energy, his wit, genius, brilliant
and philosophic humor and quaint originality were never more
effectively displayed. He, of course, carried his auditors with
him, and left a permanent impression no one, in his lifetime, at
least, will equal or decrease. In the early part of the evening's
entertainment, the printers of Pittsburg presented Mr. Eice with
a magnificent copy of Shakespeare's works, as a sincere tribute of
respect and esteem from the disciples of the " art preservative of
arts/'

HIS FAKEWELL ADDRESS.

The " Commercial " says: Before retiring to doff the motley
for the last time in Pittsburg, Mr. Eice stepped into the circle
which had been the scene to him of so many triumphs and spoke
as follows:

It was in this city that I spent many of my boyish days. Prob
ably I may have been regarded as being full of wild opinions and
some wayward pranks, as all boys are, and perhaps a little dis
posed to resent an insult when it was offered, and I confess I have
not entirely recovered from such a spirit yet. (Cheers.) But
if this has been the case, I have endeavored from that time to this
during twenty-six years, to be in all things just — purely just.
(Applause.) I have been in this profession since 1841, that is, in
the show business. I have striven hard during that time, and
have labored day and night to interest and amuse the people. I
regard the profession I have followed as an honorable and legiti
mate calling. Like all departments of trade, there will be found

152 EEMIXISCENCES OF DAN RICE

good and bad people engaged in it. I have endeavored at all
times, and under all circumstances to elevate it, and I think I do
not exaggerate when 1 tell you I have so far succeeded as to be
patronized by the most learned, eloquent, and distinguished gen
tlemen in the land. (Applause.) 1 well remember Judge \Vil-
kins, Harmon, Denny, and Major Harding. There are others
yet living. I am glad to mention General Robinson, to whom I
am deeply indebted for much of the success I have won, animated
as I was by the counsel of these distinguished gentlemen. It
built up in my mind such an ambition that at least I can proudly
say, in truth and candor, placing my hand on my heart, that no
man can say aught against my character. (Loud applause.) I
look back with feelings of gratitude as I think of the time when
the citizens of Pittsburg came to my assistance in the dark hours
of misfortune, letting the rays of sunshine down into my heart.
It may not be uninteresting to you for me to say that in all cases
you have come to my assistance and encouraged and patronized
me; for this sympathy so generously bestowed you will ever be
entitled to my sincere gratitude. Although once a poor boy, a
stable-boy if you like, a livery stable boy (applause), I have come
back to be taken by the hand by all classes of society. Ladies
and gentlemen give their smiling approval and words of kindness,
and how could I feel otherwise than grateful? Xo, my heart is
filled with gratitude towards you. It may please you to know
how I have conducted myself financially since I started out in the
business, and I consider the time has come for me to tell you. I
have made more money than any six of the richest circus men in
the world, and not by trickery or fraud, or gewT-gaws or six-penn}r
plaj^s, but what I have accumulated has been accumulated hon
estly by laboring in a circle forty-two feet in diameter, the ring.
(Applause.) The question may arise what have I done with my
money? In order that my many friends may know what I have
done with it, I will say that since 1841 I have devoted to chari
table and patriotic societies, and have given away to assist in
succoring the poor, wounded, sick, and oppressed, over a million
and a half dollars, and I have the documents to prove it. (Loud
cheers.) So you see how much good can be accomplished by
laboring to benefit mankind. I have always endeavored to put
this fortune which has been given me to proper use, and have
ever been ready to listen to the voice of sorrow and distress; con
stantly eager to do good with it, that I might say that I am grate
ful for these gifts. I might have done more, I might have done
better, but I have been as judicious in carrying out my plans as
my humble abilitv would admit. How rejoiced I am to think
that God has enabled me to do what I have, and yet left me an
abundance of this world's cheer for my wife and children. (Ap-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 153

plause.) And now I would say to you, young men, in starting out
in life, be mindful that you can do good; never close your hearts
to the appeal of hunger, sorrow, or distress, but try constantly to
relieve the wants of suffering humanity. Be an ornament to so
ciety, mindful of your dependence upon the Giver of all good, and
when you do this, you can look forward with hope to the time
when you can expect to receive a crown of glory. That God may
bless you and prosper you all is the heartfelt wish of your humble
servant, Dan Eice.

COL. DAX EICE'S FAREWELL TO MILWAUKEE.

(From the Milwaukee News.)

DAN RICE'S LAST VISIT: Dan, the original, the remarkable,
the innovator, the home jester, and the happy humorist has come,
and — we pen it with sincere regret — gone forever. He made his
brief visit among us as brilliant and pleasing as we had a right to
expect from his ability and popularity. Of the character of the
performances, we have alread}' spoken. Those of yesterday were
equal in merit to their predecessors and received the same hearty
commendation from the public.

The exhibition of last evening was rendered more than ordinar
ily remarkable by the famous address of Colonel Rice, an address
which, for earnest eloquence, pathos, and power, deserves a better
chronicling than the reporting facilities of a circus tent admitted
of. After gracefully thanking his Milwaukee friends for their
continued countenance, he pertinently and beautifully reverted
to his own eventful career and defended his profession from the
mistaken aspersions ignorantly or maliciously cast upon it.
Xaturally and properly the occasion called forth reference to the
disposition of the large fortunes acquired during his thirty years'
of arenic experience. We, as humble chroniclers of events, have
been especially interested in the career of the famous clown and
jester, Dan Rice, for a number of years, and know of his many
large charities which are creditable both to his heart and head.

We bid Dan Rice adieu with regret, not only as one who has
from our earliest years afforded us many hours of recreation, but
as a pattern of unostentatious and wide liberality who has fur
nished an example well worthy of imitation and respect.

154: REMINISCENCES OF DAN BICE

CHAPTER XIX.

A SERIES OF SENSATIONAL, SPECTACULAR, AND GIGANTIC
ENTERPRISES — COL. RICE?S GREATEST VENTURE — UNPAR
ALLELED SUCCESSES — A PINNACLE OF PECUNIARY PROFITS
— THE WORLD-FAMOUS PARIS PAVILION — AN ALADDIN'S
FLYING PALACE — AN ALEXANDER OF THE ARENA — A PRE
MONITION — THE TELLTALE CREVICE — A DREADFUL DIS
ASTER.

IN the year 1868 Colonel Eice identified himself with the Fore-
paugh Circus, receiving $1,000 a week and expenses. The
following season he purchased, at a cost of $10,000, the steamboat
" Will S. Hays," so named after the popular Western poet. He
toured the principal cities from St. Paul to New Orleans, giving
the closing exhibition at St. Louis. About this time Avery
Smith, John A. Nathans, and Girard Quick formed a copartner
ship which subsequently was known in the circus world as the
" Fiat-Foot Party." How they came to be branded with this
lugubrious title Uncle Dan knoweth not, except, as he facetiously
suggests, because they were always walking " on their uppers."
Under their management was a troupe of Italian performers,
which Dan Rice, when he reached Memphis in the spring of 1870
consolidated with his great show. This mammoth institution
up to that date represented beyond doubt the greatest arenic tal
ent that two continents could produce. It was the most sensa
tional, spectacular, and gigantic arenic entertainment ever wit
nessed in the United States. Never before had such a combina
tion of circus performers been massed under one canopy. Every
artist was an unchallenged world champion in his class. Beauty,
merit, and muscle were combined to an unprecedented and ex
traordinary degree; all in all it proved to be the most elaborate,
elegant, novel, and varied entertainment which Dan Rice, as
manager and proprietor, ever presented to the public. This vast
circus combine made an extended tour of the Mississippi and its
tributary streams, visiting the principal cities and towns of the
South and Southwest. Some idea of its magnitude may be de
rived from the fact that it employed two steamers, the " Will S.
Hays " and " Dan Rice, Jr.," the former to transport the small
army of performers, the magnificent stud of horses, and the gen
eral paraphernalia of a great show, and the latter to carry the
advertising contingents and the tons of illuminated and gorgeous
circus posters, to herald the coming of the largest show on earth
or water. From the organization to the disbandment of these

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 155

two unrivalled companies of artists, the veteran showman ex
perienced the most gratifying triumphs of his professional life,
not alone in the popular applause and laudatory tributes of the
press, but in the monetary gains, which reached the very pinnacle
of pecuniary profits, in the enormous net return of over $125,000.
The succeeding season of 1870 found Colonel Eice again " ex
ploring and exploiting," as he puts it, on the constant, tireless,
irrepressible scent after some new and still more startling devel
opments with which to tickle the public palate. His instincts
for novel innovations were as marvellous as the rapidity with
which he caused his plans to materialize and take practical and
profitable form. He spurned the adapter's artifices — he was
original or nothing. Woolly horses, Mermaids, and What Is It's?
were not the mediums with which his creative brain sought to
help himself and humbug the public. As the successful news
paper man must possess a natural nose for news to enable him to
rise above his fellows, and attract public recognition of his merits,
so Uncle Dan possessed a well-developed nose for novelties, " and
you may add a pretty prominent proboscis on physical lines at
that," I hear Uncle Dan laughingly hint over my shoulder as I
write. His ambition soon found its proper vent. Little wonder
then that he decided to purchase the world-famous Paris Pavilion
or Amphitheatre Portatif, which was effected in the spring of
1871. This undertaking outranked, strange to say, every pre
vious venture of his sensational career. It seemed like the cap
ping of a climax; surely he could go no higher; probably the
altitude was too great a risk; well it appeared to be an alternative
of the topmost rung or the bottom of the pit with Colonel Eice.
Whatever the result, Colonel Eice embarked in the enterprise
with his usual fund of indomitable pluck and doggedness of pur
pose, and opened to the public this magnificent palace of amuse
ment at St. Louis, Mo.

The purchase by Colonel Eice of this magnificent portable
amphitheatre, known as the " Paris Circus Pavilion," together
with the immense quantity of costly wardrobe, trappings, Gobelin
carpets, curtains, and general superb paraphernalia of the most
expensive material specially manufactured in Paris, therefore,
with a view of giving arenic exhibitions therein in the larger
cities of America, inaugurated a new and brilliant era in the
world of popular amusements, and was a daring innovation upon
the established and manifold discomforts and dangers heretofore
regarded as inseparable from and indispensable to circus perform
ances, which Mr. Eice was assured the people would duly appre
ciate and liberally reward. As this elegant realization of
Aladdin's Flying Palace was the only edifice of the kind in exist
ence,, or ever constructed, and had never been thrown open to the

150 REMIXISCEXCES OF DAX RICE

public until that time,, a brief chronicle of its origin, and a suc
cinct description of its novel, ingenious, and perfect plan is neces
sary and will be found of interest.

During the summer of 1866 five of the wealthiest and most
enterprising showmen of the United States conceived the idea of
establishing a circus composed of champion performers of the
New World, in Paris, during the great World's Fair, or Exposition
Universelle, of 1867. In furtherance of this project, and that
nothing might be wanting to successfully minister to the fastid
ious taste and favorably impress the hypercritical populace of the
earth's gay capital, the services of the most celebrated architects
and mechanics of the day were employed, whose practical skill
and experience was for months devoted to, and an enormous sum
expended in, designing and minutely perfecting the Paris Circus
Pavilion, or " Amphitheatre Portatif d'Ete." This anomalous
yet complete, beautiful, and imposing structure was shipped to
France in a steamer specially chartered to transport the precious
freight; but owing to errors in advance management and the
vehement opposition engendered by its preceding fame in the
jealous, alarmed minds of managers to the manor born, was never
erected on, the then, Imperial soil. Its disappointed and un
justly treated owners reshipped it to this country and carefully
stowed it awray in New Orleans, wrhere it had remained until 1871
in undeserved obscurity, with the exception of being partially put
up on one or two occasions for display, in hope of securing a pur
chaser. The unfortunate experience of its proprietors seemed
to have somewhat demoralized them, and though exceptionally
confident when travelling the old, well-worn show route, their
nerve failed them in confronting the expense, risk, and labor
attendant upon the cis- Atlantic employment of their admirable
conception, and it remained a magnificent elephant upon their
hands, until rescued, the ensuing winter, from threatened obliv
ion by Colonel Rice, who, recognizing at once its superior excel
lence, reposing full as much faith in American as in foreign ap
preciation, and reasonably reliant upon a thirty years' day and
night experience and acquaintance with the needs and wishes of
the amusement-loving public, became at once its proprietor and
the revolutionizer of the very circus system of which he had been,
for over a quarter of a century, the recognized leader.

The giant stride in the path of amusement progression, the
deference to the eas£ and security of the public, the radical
erasure of conventional ring-marks — the substitution of luxurious
comfort for torturing posture and obstructed vision, the trans
formation of bellying and unstable canvas into firm-founded
and perfectly appointed amphitheatre — all this has not been con
summated without an outlay and possible intervention of con-

KEMIXISCENCES OF DAN BICE 157

tingencies that no one, save Dan Kice alone among the many able
and wealthy members of his profession had the spirit and confi
dence in the people to assume. Of the size and completeness of
the pavilion, and the labor, expense, and responsibility involved
in its transportation and erection, a partial idea may be formed
from a consideration of the fact that, closely packed, it filled one
of the largest-sized freight cars, and an extra force of experienced
men, under a master of construction, was required to put it up
and handle it.

The interior view and diagram presented on a preceding page
represent with scrupulous accuracy its appearance, arrangement,
and capacity, and will aid the reader in locating the following
description, which is merely in the nature of a brief and su
perficial sketch of its general appointments and prominent me
chanical peculiarities, as no mere word painting can convey any
adequate conception of the magnificent coup d'ceil presented
by the vast circular auditorium, when deftly combined, in grace
ful strength and harmonious design, the gorgeous hangings and
decorations bathed in a dazzling flood of gaslight. In order to
secure perfect symmetry, unyielding strength, and entire equality
of observation the sides of the pavilion were subdivided into
twenty-two sections, formed into a circle and supporting each
other at their termini upon the principle and ancient design of
the Great Solomon the keystone of the arch. This gave the build
ing a diameter of 120 feet, making, of course, a total circumfer
ence of 360 feet. Each of these sections was 1G feet in height
and composed of handsomely finished and substantial wooden
strips closely joined at the sides and dovetailed at the ends, assur
ing mutual strength and support.

Let us, in the conveniently supposable absence of the gentle
manly doorkeeper, pass free through the broad-arched central
entrance and avail ourselves of the opportunity to make our
" First appearance in the ring," and from the centre of that
ground dedicated to Hercules, Apollo, Mercury, and the Centaurs
take in the novel and attractive situation at a sweeping glance.
Your preconceived impressions of circus interiors, established
from dim childhood recollection, of a sort of tent, a screened and
inhabited lumber yard, where some nomadic lunatic has been ap
parently engaged in a hasty and futile effort to square the circle
with a lot of treacherous and shifting planks, each one harder to
sit on than a stool of repentance, and nowhere a rest for the
weary dangling leg, will turn a double somersault and bring you
to the sudden conviction that after all there is something de
cidedly new under the circus sun.

From the edge of the ring extends to the furthest verge of
the grand outer circle a matched floor with a sufficient ascending

158 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

tendency to secure an uninterrupted view of the performance
from every part of the building, which in this desideratum it may
be here remarked is democratically perfect as far as seeing is con
cerned, there being absolutely no preference in seats, all of which
were so arranged as to render it impossible for any one to obstruct
the view of others.

The division of seats as to classification begins at the ring;
those nearest there representing the parquette, in fact as well as
name, and being first on the price list. These premieres, as
they are designated in the diagram, contained five hundred and
forty luxurious, portable, cane-bottomed sofa seats in sections
of twenty-seven (27) each. They commanded the nearest view
of the performance and performers, and were therefore consid
ered the most desirable.

Directly back of these parquette seats, and elevated consider
ably above them, is a circle of forty-four (44) elegant private
boxes, designated in the diagram as u loges," divided by railings
handsomely finished in black walnut and each supplied with six
easy chairs. Many preferred these to seats in the parquette and
they were specially adapted for the cosy enjoyment of family
parties. Behind the loges was a lobby of three feet in width
running the entire circle of the building, for the use of visitors
and occupants of the loges. These did not at all interfere with
the occupants of the family circle who were behind. This family
circle, or secondes, which was raised gradually to the outer wall,
and in turn raised several feet above the boxes, contained over
1,000 chairs. This was a very commodious station and afforded
an excellent view of the whole house. Behind the secondes was
another lobby of four feet wide, touching the wall and running
around the entire circumference, which was also reserved for
promenaders.

Immediately opposite one another were two very noticeable
elevations. One, that of the main entrance, was originally in
tended as the Grand Imperial Box for the special honor and
glory of his late Majesty, Napoleon III. Colonel Rice, in grateful
appreciation of invaluable favors and kindness, rededicated it,
this time to the Republican Majesty of the Free Press of the
land, to whose representatives its exclusive use was cordially and
respectfully tendered. Here all necessary writing materials, etc.,
were provided for editorial use. The elevation opposite above the
mysterious dressing-room curtain was reserved to the splendid
orchestra of th? circus, under the leadership of the distinguished
young Prof. Edgar Mentor.

The building was brilliantly lighted with gas, there being in
addition to the powerful star centre-pole chandeliers, candela
bra, with globes, upon each post around the circle of boxes, and a

MONT.MEXT ERECTED TO THE SOLDIERS OF PENNSYLVANIA AT GIRARD I>

KEMINISCENCES OF DAN IUCE 159

row of the same around the family circle, besides the burners in
the editorial box and orchestra.

Special attention had been paid to the important matter of
ventilation, which was secured by an opening of some four feet
in width, extending all the way round the top of the sides, and
provided with a canvas screen of elegant design, which could be
raised or lowered, according to the thermometrical and baromet
rical dictation.

Finally, this splendid establishment, which could on occasion
comfortably seat over 3,000 people, was canopied with a canvas
top the peak of which soared fully sixty feet above the earth.
It was manufactured of a newly discovered material, transparent
to the sight, but almost as impervious to water as an otter's back.

All in all this unique structure was the most elegant edifice of
its kind ever dedicated to the God of laughter by so worthy a son

of Momus as the subject of these memoirs.

* * * . * * * * * *

The following years, from 1872 to 1877, were marked by the
same restless, insatiable thirst and passion for " the something
new.7' The Alexander of the arena was ever alert for some un-
conquered or undiscovered field for his masterful and ambitious
nature, to enable him to add to his almost unbroken series of
managerial triumphs. Xo venture, however risky, no enterprise,
however hazardous, checked his progressive and equally aggres
sive ambition. His native versatility of expression was only
equalled by his limitless love of variety. Hippodrome and Rac
ing Associations which he organized no sooner served their popu
lar purpose, than a circus of trained horses followed as an accom
plished fact. A little later he " starred " with the Stowes' Circus
throughout the South.

A well-nigh miraculous escape from a shocking death attended
a visit made about this time by Colonel Rice to the pit of a lead
mine, at Roseclair on the Ohio River, about five miles below
Elizabeth. Uncle Dan had decided to show at this mining town
and give a benefit there in aid of the sappers' families, many of
whom some time previous had been rendered destitute by the
devastation caused by the ravages of fire and flood. Accepting
an invitation to accompany Mr. Chittendon, the mining superin
tendent, on a visit into the labyrinth of lead, Colonel Rice was soon
at the bottom of the main shaft. After making a few minutes'
round of inspection, it was suggested that a visit be made to
where a lar^e body of miners were employed, wrhen Uncle Dan
could make known, after an introduction, the benevolent pur
pose of his visit. About thirty feet from the main shaft Mr.
Rice, whilst examining the peculiar construction of the roofing
and shoring system, noticed directly over head a great seam in a

160 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

chamber braced by heavy beams, the fissure extending some dis
tance down and diagonally towards the well of the main shaft.
He imagined as he noted the deep crevice that it appeared, to
his distorted vision, to open and close, widen and warp from
time to time. Suddenly he became possessed of an uncanny
premonition, a sense of impending disaster, and turning rather
abruptly to Mr. Chittendon requested him to defer his intended
visit to the miners until the following day, pleading meanwhile
personal discomfiture due to his unusual surroundings. A few
minutes later, when Superintendent Chittendon and Colonel Eice
had reached terra firma, a sudden sound, half-rumble, half-roar,
accompanied by a quivering sensation as if the ground beneath
their feet was as so much shifting sand, and followed by a dense
cloud of smoke from a distant shaft, forecasted the horrible
holocaust that followed. In twenty minutes the great cavern
of lead collapsed, burying the unfortunate miners in its ruins.

CHAPTER XX.

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS — BREASTING THE TIDE — SINKING OF
THE STEAMBOAT " DAMSEL " — " EXCELSIOR^ " REMARKABLE
RESCUE — JOHN HOGAN^S HEROISM — COL. RICE'S ROYAL
RECEPTION AT SAN FRANCISCO — MRS. MARK HOPKINS'S
FRANK AVOWAL— ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL, PLEASANT,
AND PROFITABLE INCIDENTS IN COL. RICE'S CAREER —
TWO UNPARALLELED MISFORTUNES — A RAILROAD FIRE
AND FINANCIAL FAILURE, BRINGING RUIN TO THE
GREAT CLOWN — TWO FORTUNES SWEPT AWAY — A PROVI
DENTIAL INCIDENT.

THE succeeding six years, crowded as they were with the di
versified interests and manifold incidents inseparable from
life on the road, only served to throw new lights and shadows
on Uncle Dan's kaleidoscopic career. Now the shadows were
growing deeper, tinged with the blinding mists of domestic and
financial complications, then again a silver strand fringed the
gloomiest prospects. The indomitable spirit of Uncle Dan began
to bend under the strain. Business reverses occurred and re
curred with startling rapidity, at unexpected intervals. Mis
fortunes seemed to crowd thick and fast upon his heels. Bank
rupted, crushed with weight of accumulated debts, and broken in
health, Colonel Rice was forced to face fearful odds to breast the
tide which had set in against him. Still with heroic persistence

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 161

he fought on to recover his old prestige and its rewards. In the
summer of 1879, while in transit from St. Louis to Northern
.Nebraska, a calamity overtook the great show about seventy-five
miles below Decatur on the Missouri River. The steamboat
" Damsel/' which was conveying the entire circus exhibits, em
bracing not only the entire property necessary to an arenic enter
tainment, but treasures of untold value to Colonel Rice and his
employees was destroyed by fire — all in all a most disastrous and
disheartening experience. The steamer and cargo proved an ir
redeemable loss, with but one exception, the peerless blind equine
marvel, " Excelsior/' who was enabled to swim ashore in the
terrifying storm, guided by his faithful groom, John Hogan.

From Cincinnati to San Francisco in the year 1882, Colonel
Rice went overland with the John Robinson troupe.

A remarkable circumstance in connection with this visit to the
Golden Gate, and which at the time became the all-absorbing
subject of the circus world, was developed by the fact that this
circus combination was doomed on all sides by the devotees of the
sawdust circle to be a dismal and most disastrous undertaking.
It was dubbed, and apparently justly so, a makeshift affair, a sort
of counterfeit presentment in the circus line. On the whole a
second-hand show of the most antiquated type. In truth, Uncle
Dan was to enact the Herculean role of a " circus colossus," bear
the brunt of the whole business, prove to be the bright particular
star, the supreme satellite around which every other performing
appendange was to scintillate, pretty much as a tallow dip might,
through some astronomical miracle, be suffered to wink and
wither in the wagging wake of a comet's tail. But the dismal
and disastrous prediction of the past proved far from verification
in the near-by future, at least in one direction. Whether Uncle
Dan proved to be the all-absorbing orb, or the appendages builded
better than the circus critics knew; or whether an estimable and
wealthy lady, by one touch of nature proved a mascot to the
alleged misfit menage, one fact survives all shafts of prophetic
and forecasted failure, inasmuch as that tour netted a profit of
well-nigh $300,000. When the Colonel, with the "Robinson
Rovers," reached Frisco, he was confronted with a condition of
things wholly unparalleled in all his circus career. The city took
on a holiday dress. The mining spirit of '49 dominated, per
meated everything. The route of the grand street parade pre
sented scenes hitherto without precedent in the history of the
empire city of the Pacific slope. The home-coming of a con
quering hero, laden with the priceless treasures of foreign con
quest may, in a measure, serve to reflect to the mind's eye of the
render some idea of the overwhelming character of the ovation
which greeted the Prince of Jesters as he was escorted through
11

162 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

the city. The business as well as residential portions of the line
of march furnished a bewilderingly beautiful picture, the build
ings being decorated with bunting, banners, bannerets, and other
devices, in which Old Glory's colors blended again. Flags and
flowers flanked the procession as it wended its way amid the
dense mass of humanity that greeted its progress*. Floral arches
of every conceivable design bridged streets and avenues, great
banners, emblazoned with the inscriptions " Welcome to Dan
Rice," " Hail to the Prince of Jesters/' etc., paid flattering tribute
to the genial and popular Uncle Dan. A somewhat sensational
incident occurred during the passage of this most triumphal spec
tacle. A wheel became detached from one of the chariots pre
ceding the carriage which Colonel Rice occupied. The accident
happened in front of Busch's Hotel. The Colonel's vehicle was
quickly surrounded by anxious and enthusiastic friends and ad
mirers. Old " Forty-niners " hurried forward and started to un
hitch the horses and bear off, on their stalwart shoulders, the
laughing but embarrassed occupant. Presently a handsome
woman, whose charming face was familiar to the excited and
bustling bystanders, elbowed her way through the throng and
reached the side of the now rescued Rice. Extending her hand
she exclaimed, " Why, Dan, how are you; don't you know me? "
In the crush and confusion Colonel Rice, for a moment, evidently
failed to meet the situation with his wonted gallantry. In a
flash a pair of feminine arms encircled his expansive shoulders;
well, something happened, something, perhaps, too divinely fine
for the most adroitly delicate touch of biographic description to
attempt to portray. If the situation then and there was half as
trying in the concrete to Colonel Rice as it is now in the abstract
to his biographer, the discomfiture of the genial jester must have
indeed been complete. But then there are circumstances, if
not situations, when the truthful chronicler is constrained to
suppress her emotions, and impelled by a sense of duty to record
what she hears, if what she sees should only be viewed as through
a glass darkly. When Uncle Dan, however, a moment later had
pleaded many apologies for his apparent forgetfulness, why then
and there something was said which brought up the Colonel with
such a sudden round turn, that doubtless all Californians in
general, and 'Friscans in particular, to this day, have but to
recall to be convulsed. Still retaining the blushing and be
wildered Rice in her embrace, and within earshot of a hundred
spectators, the fair admirer of other days, with an artless, girlish
abandon, enthusiastically exclaimed, "Why, Uncle Dan, I
danced with you in my native town. You hugged and kissed
me then, and we were very good friends until — well, until you
pinched me in the stomach and I got mad, but never mind, let

BEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 1G3

us make up now." The effect was electrical. For a brief mo
ment the onlookers regarded alternately with amazement the
withal thoroughly self-possessed lady and the confused and over
wrought Rice; amazement, however, was rapidly followed by
mingling roars of laughter and applause. Speaking of the oc
casion in later years Colonel Rice said it proved to be at once
the most painful, pleasurable, and profitable experience of his
entire existence in the show business, adding that it was the
prime cause of the success of the show, the extraordinary incident
liaving been exploited by the press and public to the utmost limit.
The charming cause of this most spectacular and sensational
scene was the beautiful and great-hearted widow of Mark Hop
kins, the California multi-millionaire. This estimable lady,
during the stay of the show at 'Frisco, expended upwards of
$1,000 through the purchase and distribution of circus tickets to
the school children, orphans, and waifs within the city's limits.

The years of 1872 and 1873 were marked by two events pa
thetically suggestive, not only in their nearness, but in the order
of their happening, events so strangely reciprocal that they will
be invested with a peculiar interest to the reader, resulting as
both did in losses practically beyond redemption. The first oc
curred when fire destroyed, in one of the cars of the train con
veying Colonel Rice's troupe on its farewell tours through the
West, the priceless treasures of a lifetime of patient hoarding;
trophies, tributes, testimonials, gifts of the rarest and most costly
devices set in precious stones and prized beyond all pecuniary
standards of value, gathered together from all parts of the world,
expressive of the esteem, the friendship, and the affectionate in
terest in which he was held, and which bound him, like so many
golden links, to the professional and social triumphs of the past.

The greatest loss, however, was sustained in the destruction of
the data, diaries, scrap-books, clippings, letters, portraits, etc.,
which were to form the material of these memoirs. As a result,
the reader may, in some small degree, appreciate the herculean
task involved in the preparation of this work, necessitating, as it
did, an enormous expenditure of time and money. Following
closely in the train of these seemingly hopeless conditions which
confronted Colonel Rice when he saw the basic source of the in
spiration wherewith to build his autobiographic sketch of his
checkered life forever swept away, there came another and appar
ently more overwhelming calamity when the great banking house
of Jay Cooke & Co. announced that it could not meet its obliga
tions (1873). The collapse of this financial tower came like the
shock of an earthquake over the civilized world. It was a tre
mendous catastrophe. Colonel Rice was a depositor, in fact, the
bulk of his fortune, $80,000, was in the vaults of that firm. The

164: REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

night prior to the crash Colonel Rice,, who was in Indianapolis
at the time, received a telegram from a friend reciting the ru
mored involvement. At midnight he chartered a special car and
locomotive and hurried to Washington. But the harm had been
done; the great banking institution had closed its doors and
Uncle Dan's possessions were forever lost. It was to him a mad
dening situation. The pecuniary loss was bad enough — it dazed
him. But while his philosophic nature enabled him to meet
that disheartening aspect, he became desperate, dangerously so,
when he recalled how Jay Cooke, his confidant and friend, be
trayed and wrecked him. The sense of monetary loss was as
nothing to the realization of the sacrificed friendship, confidence,
and trust which he reposed in the great, and, withal honest,
financier. It was gall and wormwood to the soul of the genial
Uncle Dan. For two days and nights he sought out the cause
of this apparently unpardonable sin. Every device, every pre
text, every influence was brought to bear to secure an interview
with Mr. Cooke. The failures in that direction were indeed most
fortunate, providentially so. It may be added that the failure
also involved many of Colonel Rice's associates, among whom
was his ringmaster, whose life savings, $20,000, were swallowed
up in the collapse. It also may be of interest to note that the
same personal friend at Washington who apprised Colonel Rice
of the gossiped embarrassment of the big banking firm was an
intimate of President Johnson's, hence the latter's rapid move in
withdrawing $50,000 the night preceding the banker's downfall.
The years 1884 and 1885 found Colonel Rice on the lecture plat
form touring the Southwestern States. This new departure was
the signal for innumerable popular demonstrations throughout
his itinerary, surpassing, certainly from a social viewpoint, every
previous reception accorded the versatile veteran in the palmiest
days of his circus career. The succeeding year Colonel Rice
sought again to retrieve his somewhat impaired fortunes by em
barking in another gigantic enterprise. At Cairo, 111., he con
structed a floating opera house with which he made a circuit of
the South. It was not a financial success. Seemingly it was the
beginning of the end; mayhap it marked the close of the pro
fessional career of the most gifted man that ever, garbed in mot
ley, entered the canopied arena of the circus ring. Failing
health and financial losses again impelled the peerless Prince of
Jesters to feel sadly in need of a well-merited retirement, perma
nent perhaps in his isolation from public view as an entertainer
in roles in which he had won his greatest laurels. What shape
destiny has decreed his life story should develop these pages have
at least sought to faintly reflect, and yet, however vague in out
lines the marvellous tale may prove, sufficient light, it is hoped,

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 165

has been thrown upon the background of his noble character to
inspire the reader as well as the recorder with a grateful tribute
to Father Time that so remarkable a man lived so long to link
so great a past with our younger generation. From the abun
dant proceeds of his ministry of mirth schools have been built,
soldiers' monuments erected, seamen's homes founded, orphan
asylums established, and churches endowed. Throughout the
length and breadth of his native land the memory of his munifi
cent deeds will be in itself an enduring monument. To his gen
erous countrymen and the patriotic, peerless women of three
generations this book is now most respectfully and most affection
ately dedicated.

13006.

RICE'S PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.

MEN HE MET— INCIDENTS AND IMPRESSIONS—
TRIBUTES— CAUSTIC CRITICISMS.

first circus known in the history of Ancient Rome was
JL the Circus Maximus, located on a strip of land between
the Palatine and Aventine Hills. This was a glorious period of
Roman history. Since then a long line of " fools/' " gestours,"
" jongleurs," etc., has descended to these days. The permanence
of the character of the jester is not surprising when the useful
ness of his functions is considered. " To shoot folly as it flies,"
and with pointed wit to strike and burst the bubble of the hour,
and to do so, evoking the laughter of an audience without causing
a pang or blush, is no mean accomplishment. We need not won
der, therefore, to find the names and sayings of " fools " carried
down the stream of history with those of kings and poets and
warriors. One of these waifs is familiar to the readers of " Edin
burgh Review," though few are aware that its caustic motto, by
Publius Syrus, " Judex damnatur cum nocens absolvitur," is the
sentence of a Roman clown. The editor of Ree's Encyclopaedia
remarks:

" We with difficulty can imagine some of the grave and
judicious reflections of Syrus to be extracted from the panto
mimes which he exhibited on the stage. The applause given to
the pieces of Plautus and Terence did not prevent even the better
sort from admiring these pantomimic farces when enlivened by
wit and not debased by indecency. The mimographic poets of
the Romans, who chiefly distinguished themselves in these
dramatic exhibitions, were Cneius Matius, Decimus Liberius,
Publius Syrus, under Julius Caesar; Philiston, under Augustus;
Silo, under Tiberius; Virgilius Romanus, under Trajan, and Mar
cus Marcellus, under Antoninus. But the most celebrated of all
these were Decimus Liberius and Publius Syrus. The first di
verted Julius Caesar so much that he made him a Roman knight
and conferred on him the privilege of wearing gold rings. He

168 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

had such a wonderful talent at seizing ridicule as to make every
one dread his abilities. To this Cicero alludes in writing to Tre-
butius, when he was in Britain with Julius Caesar, telling him
that if he was absent much longer inactive he must be expected
to be attacked by the mime Liberius. Publius Syrus, however,
gained so much more applause that he retired to Puteoli, where
he consoled himself for his disgrace and the inconstancy of the
people, and the transient state of human affairs by the following
admirable verse:

" ' Cecidi ego: vade et qui sequitur: laus est publica.'
" A similar sentiment is thus expressed by Dr. Johnson,

" ' New fashions rise, and different views engage,
Superfluous lags the veteran on the stage.'

" In England the jester was formerly held in considerable es
teem. It should be noted, however, that there was generally a
distinction between the office of the ' Jester ' and that of the
' fool/ the former being deemed honorable. It was frequently
filled by an educated gentleman, while the latter was considered
menial. One Berdic ' joculator ' to William the Conqueror was
presented with three towns and five caracutes in Gloucestershire.
Will Sommers, jester to Henry VII., was also a man of mark
and his portrait is preserved at Hampton Court. Archie Arm
strong, court fool to James I., must have been a great favorite,
for that tobacco-eating monarch actually granted him a patent
for the manufacture of pipes. And it is even surmised that the
prince of all dramatists and poets, Shakespeare himself, once ful
filled an engagement as jester. There are four years of his life
unaccounted for, unless the clue may be found in a letter ad
dressed in that period by Sir Philip Sidney to his father-in-law,
Walsingham. He says, ' I wrote to you a letter by Will, my
Lord of Leicester's jesting player/ Mr. Bruce, in the first vol
ume of the Shakespeare Society's papers, asks, ' Who was Will? '
Besides Shakespeare there were only two players of the name
known at that time.

" As might be expected, the true ideal of a professional jester
is to be found in Shakespeare's e Yorick,' the King's jester, the
absence of whose eloquent and loving lips Hamlet mourns when
contemplating his skull. ' A fellow of infinite jest, of most ex
cellent fancy,' he elevated or rather restored in his representa
tion the character of a clown from that of a coarse buffoon to that
of a merry doctor of philosophy, sometimes attempting the cure
of vice and folly after the manner desired by the cynical Jaques.

KEMIXISCENCES OF DAN RICE 169

" ' Invest me in my motley; give me leave

To speak my mind and I will through and through
Cleanse the foul body of the infected world
If they will patiently receive my medicine/

Sometimes purging out ' loathed melancholy ' by the exhibition
of wholesome mirth, sometimes brightening even cheerfulness
itself by means of

" ' Quips and cranks and wanton wiles,
Nods and becks and wreathed smiles,
Sport that wrinkled care derides
And laughter holding both his sides/

and at all times infusing the spirit of wisdom in the wine of mer
riment. The advantages of the motley suit are very apparent.
The sense of the ludicrous is awakened by the eye before it is
excited by the ear, and thus the way is prepared for the pros
perity of the jest which, as Shakespeare says, lies principally ' in
the ear of him that hears it.' Like the wearers of other profes
sional costumes, legal and clerical, jesters are privileged to say
and do many things which would not be kindly received from
laymen. And as children require pills to be gilded and medi
cine to be sweetened, so many a salutary and unpalatable lesson
may be administered in the guise of a joke. These things con
sidered, it may be doubted whether the proportion of folly is not
greater in the wearers of sober suits than in those disguised as
clowns and fools."

The first place among the eulogies of our Prince of Jesters
must be given to the following sonnet by a true poet:

" Full oft thy efforts in the mimic art

I've watched, and marvelled at those facile powers
That through the bright and swiftly gliding hours

That through the bright and swiftly gliding hours
In truth I scarcely know what is thy part,

Whether to play the fool in sparkling showers

Of jest, or in this sinning world of ours
With sterling wisdom to amend the heart.

But this I know — thy genial wit for me
Hath stirred life's pulses beating weak and slow,
And chased the heavy shadows from my brow

And lit my languid eye with healthful glee.
And so I pray thy gifts may long remain
To gladden future days and banish care and pain."

" A merry heart doeth good like medicine," and is generally
the offspring of benevolence seeking to diffuse the happiness it

170 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

enjoys. The veteran jester here self-portrayed is an eminent
example of this rule and of the reward of the unselfish. " Love,
honor, reverence, and troops of friends/' are his, and his many
charities may cover the imperfection his enemies would discover.
It will readily be believed that our task has been easy and
agreeable. Thousands can testify of our dictator, that

" A merrier man within the limits of becoming mirth
I never passed an hour's talk withal."

In conclusion we can only wish that you may have as much
pleasure in reading as we have had in " taking the life " of the
"Jester Clown," Dan Eice.

*******

" Three decades ago I doffed the costume of a clown. But my
memory reverts to the good old days of the motley when I made
mirth for the multitude and money for myself. I am disgusted
with the circus of to-day, which is no more than a big show.
The idea of performances in four rings at once is absurd, while
the clown, who in former days was the standard and star at
traction of every circus, has sunk to the level of a mere panto-
mimist. The market rule with these big aggregations seems to
be quantity at the expense of quality. Oh! for the circus of our
daddies, when the entrance of one into Wayback or Torpidtown
meant a holiday for all the country round. The circus of to-day
is but a mountebank show.

" I think the general decadence of the clown in this land has
been brought about by the encroachments on the field of fun by
the newspaper paragrapher. He has, with his flashes of humor
and wit, gradually forced the men of the motley out of sight; his
audience is more readily reached, but is not so responsive to
subtle wit as when it is presented keenly by an inflection or
modulation of the voice. The retirement of the clown has not
been caused at all by a dearth of mirth-makers and satirists.
Humor is made by Dame Nature in her merriest moods. It is,
withal, a scarce commodity; there is little of it in the market.
A humorist is by the Almighty made. A wit is a feather, he
shifts with every wind; a satirist, a rod — he cuts; a humorist one
of the grandest works of God. Bob Ingersoll was not a wit. He
simply catered to the vitiated appetites of the uncultured minds
of the masses. Artemus Ward, Mark Twain, and other great
humorists have arrayed against them a long record of uncredited
jests, puns, yarns, and humor stolen from the ring. I class
them not as genuine humorists, such as Minor Griswold, who was
born to his humor, and reeled it out not with a crank, but as the
ebullition of his nature prompts it. Wit comes by rote. The

KEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 171

secret of the modern humorist's success is best known by the true
humorist. But, alas, this is an age of plagiarists! I never said
a witty thing, to recognize it as such at the time, but my mental
storehouse has at intervals leaked little drops of wisdom and
panned out nuggets of sense. Park Benjamin called me as
scathing a satirist as Ben Jonson. Let the people judge of the
truth of this.

" But about the clown. People used to go to a circus to laugh.
I discovered that fact early in my career, and made money out
of it. A successful clown must possess more intellect, abilitv,
and originality than a comedian. He must be a crack mimic, an
elocutionist, a satirist, and so ready-witted that he, to the ring
master, is a stupid fool, a buffoon; to the audience a wise man,
whose every remark is impregnated with philosophy as well as
humor. This is the dual character of the true clown. No mat
ter how badly a clown may feel, no matter what sorrows and
cares may burden his life, while with laugh and jest and sparkling
quip he seeks to allay the sufferings of others, he must conceal
his own. More than once I have played with a breaking heart
and was at my best in making the multitudes merry. Ah, there
has been pathos in the jester's life, tears as well as laughter, sun
shine chased away by shadows. Ah, well, life is like a cocktail —
it needs a dash of bitters to make it palatable.

" About myself? Well, I achieved greatness in life at an early
age. 'Twas when I was scrub-deck on a Mississippi flatboat that
I became great. I carried the tails of President William Henry
Harrison's long great coat as he swept majestically down the
gangplank. But, unfortunately, my kindly office proved fatal.
I lifted his coat so high as to expose his thinly clad nether limbs
to the keen air until the President contracted the cold from
which he died. Thus was fulfilled the front end of Old Hickory
Jackson's prophecy about me.

" The clowns of European circuses were all pantomimists,
called trick clowns, or ( wiesers.' To America belongs the honor
of producing the first ( talking clown,' or jester, in the person of
Joe Blackburn, who made his appearance in England about 1831.
He was an uncle of the present Kentucky senator of the same
name. Joe was a scholar as well as a gentleman jester, and was
born in Mason County, Ky. A graduate of Dansville College, he
was highly cultured and possessed of marvellous wit, much wis
dom, faultless grace, and Chesterfieldian manners. His chief
charms to the susceptible were his songs, sung in a mellow, pathet
ically sweet voice never to be forgotten. His wit was pure and
sparkling, his jests and songs models of chasteness. Little won
der that he was a man of many friends. W. F. Wallett, better
known in England and America as " the Queen's jester," was at

172 BEMINISCENCES OF DAN BICE

the time a comedian of repute. He studied Blackburn's creation
of the clown, and from him drew his conception of the character.
Wallett was the beau ideal of a Touchstone. He was also a
collegian, well up in standard literature, a Shakespearian stu
dent, and a widely read man. He became a clown, he told me,
because there was more money to be made by playing the fool.
Wallett had all the easy assurance, gentle ways, and polish of
society, but in my mind, had not, in its entirety, the right con
ception of his character. He recited Shakespeare inimitably in
the ring whenever he could apply it to circumstances, interpret
ing truly the language of the author. Xow I had a different
idea of the character of the clown, and early won the title of
Shakespearian Jester by my little paraphrases of the Bard of
Avon, now so familiar to all schoolboys. Wallett made his first
American appearance in John Tryon's circus, in Astor Place, in
the fall of 1850. I made my debut in Xew York at S. B. Howes'
Circus, where Palmo's Opera House afterwards stood, in Cham
bers Street. Wallett was a great drawing card in Xew York,
and attracted the attention of the elite. I was then clown
regnant to the American people. Although no direct challenge
had passed between Wallett and myself, it was generally under
stood that we were pitted against each other in the contest for
public approval. With an eye to a sensation, I engaged Wallett
to play in my circus, thus narrowing down the contest for su
premacy. As a result, a decided sensation was created. We
played to enormous business, opening in Xed Orleans. I took
a great liking to Wallett, introducing him at each performance
with merited praise, and seeing that his name appeared in larger
print than my own.

" Xow for the difference between the two clowns. Wallett,
when occasion permitted, quoted Shakespeare in an eloquent,
impassioned manner that commanded admiration for his ability
and scholarly training. I followed with a paraphrase. For in
stance, once Wallett quoted from ' Macbeth ' the familiar ' Is this
a dagger I see before me,' etc. When I came on with a great
nourish I paraphrased it thus:

" ' Is that a beefsteak I see before me
With the burnt side toward my hand?
Let me clutch thee! I have thee not,
And yet I see thee still in form as palpable
As that I ate for breakfast this morning.'

" That sort of wit delighted circus-goers all over the land. I
^nd a marked advantage over my beloved friend Wallet, in that
I had added to my comicalities by dancing, tumbling, leaping,

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 173

and riding. Wallet t and I were great friends, though an ocean
separated me from that grand merrymaker, now gathered to his
fathers, but not until he had been honored with the title by
royalty itself of 6 The Queen's Jester.7

u There is money in the circus business. All that's necessary
it to get it out. 1 have often been asked what was the highest
salary I ever received. For my services and the use of my name
for nine years I drew $1,000 a week. At the end of that time I
had to borrow my carfare home. A pig was the means of making
a showman of me. In 1841 I was a partner in a livery business
at Ferry and Front Streets, Pittsburg, when a man named Os-
borne, of Cazenovia, X. Y., came there to exhibit an educated
pig. I was so impressed with the tricks of the animal that I saw
big money in it. I sold out my share in the livery business, and
with the proceeds purchased Osborne's pig and started on the
road. Osborne afterward was a doorkeeper of the New York
Assembly. My pig made money for me. He told a person's
age by cards and indicated affirmative and negative answers by
motions of his head. My first hit I made with the pig was at
Green sburg, Pa. A Dutch farmer named Jack had recently had
his barn burned, and suspected that a recently discharged hand
had touched the fire. I heard of the fire and old Herr Jack's
suspicions and saw a rare opportunity for a rich joke and much
advertising. Jack and his wife were induced to visit my edu
cated pig, and the farmer, after seeing the creature perform seem
ingly wonderful feats of intelligence, asked me if the animal
could tell who fired his barn. I assured him gravely that the pig
possibly could tell him all about it. I had seen the suspected
incendiary, and ostensibly proceeded to describe him to the pig,
asking it occasionally if he was the man. From time to time the
pig nodded assent, and led the Dutchman to infer that it knew
the incendiary's age and habits of life. In amazement Herr
Jack declared the pig to be in league with the devil, as by no
other means could such a knowledge of the unseen be attained.
Farmer Jack at once had a warrant issued for the suspect's ar
rest, and the pig and myself were subpoenaed as witnesses for the
State. I shall never forget that court scene. The judge had
been duly posted, and the crowd of spectators looked breathlessly
on while the pig gave the testimony that sent the accused to jail
for thirty days, for arson, as the Dutchman thought, but in real
ity for disorderly conduct, for the pig's testimony was all a
farce, as the court officials knew I prompted. But the public was
in ignorance, and the news of the affair sped through all the
rountrv. and brought thousands of peonle to see the educated
pig. That was a clever stroVe of advertising.

" Subsequently I developed into the i Young American Hercu-

HEMINISCENCES OE DAN KICE

les,' and astonished the country folks by feats of strength, lifting
2,300 pounds with my back. Well, there are tricks in all trades
but ours.

" An amusing episode was in the training of elephants. Once
I was training a young elephant to stand on its head, a feat, by
the way, never before or afterwards accomplished, and was sud
denly called away on business to another section of the country.
Before going I instructed my under-trainers about this particular
lesson, and thought my instruction would be faithfully carried
out. Imagine my consternation when I subsequently rejoined
the circus to find that my elephant would not stand on its head
as advertised on the show bills all over the country. I was in
a sad predicament, and, to add to my consternation, was arrested
at Elliottsville, N. Y., charged with obtaining money under false
pretenses, advertising what I was unable to exhibit. It was a
blue town, and I was hauled before a blue court. I explained
that it was all a mistake of my advertising agents, who had in
advertently pasted the elephant pictures upside down on the
fences, so that they looked like those of a pachyderm standing
on its head. Strange to say, this story didn't go down. Then I
assured the court that my elephant could and would stand on its
head, but as it was a female, innate modesty led it to decline to
make such a spectacle of itself save under cover of darkness. Of
course I was then honorably discharged. The story got into the
papers and was inexpensive advertising.

" Really, I had wonderful success as a trainer and subjugator
of wild beasts. With patience and an apt pupil I made a tight
rope walker of the great elephant Lalla Rookh, who made her
appearance in that role at Niblo's. Besides, I subjugated the
fiercest of her kind that ever killed people in this country.
The secret of the wild animal trainer is tact. Will-power goes
for little, but judgment a long ways. Until my day, bearding a
lion in his den was thought the most daring feat of the circus
man, but I trained the kings of the forest so they played and
gambolled harmlessly about in the sawdust arena. The great
awe of the lion is inspired by his ferocious appearance. He
isn't so bloodthirsty as he looks. His growls are often for very
joy, but the audience don't know it. A lion always growls for
joy when his food appears, and grows to caress the hand that
feeds him. I always fed my lions while training them, and they
always growled with displeasure when I left them. But the pub
lic does not understand it that way. Lion-training is not of
necessity dangerous, not more so than elephant training. I once
tamed a rhinoceros, a hitherto unaccomplished act. They had
been said to be untamable, but I taught mine a simple trick or
two that pleased the people vastly. However, a rhinoceros is,

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 175

indeed, a veritable leatherhead and can't be taught much.
Horses and dogs are susceptible of much education, and lions can
be readily taught many of the tricks done by cats.

" The secret of making money with a good show lies in the
advertising of it. The only question is how to do the most effec
tive advertising. I found no advertising more profitable than
that obtained by me or my circus being attacked from the pulpit,
which was sometimes the case, though I am, and for many years
have been, a stanch supporter of the Christian religion. Down
in Tennessee, in my money-making days, I caused to be given
a circus performance for the sole benefit of a church in the town
where we lay. Then the pastor of another church bitterly at
tacked circuses in general, and mine and me in particular. His
attacks were reverted to in the ring, and I did my best to ridicule
him, but not his holy calling, and enlisted the people of that
section in the squabble. His name was Chapman, and I shot
satire at him until, realizing his mistake, he withdrew his bat
teries. But the war was so much inexpensive advertising for me.
Afterward I ran across this same clergyman living in Grenada,
Miss. I opened on him in the ring there, and he soon left the
field. Up in Xew York State the Eev. Dr. Dunham, Baptist,
began a crusade against the devil and Dan Eice. The latter
looked out for himself, and the fight went so well that neither
Dr. Dunham nor the devil have been in that town since.

" Another method of advertising was also forced upon my at
tention. It was being arrested. Several times I have been in
durance vile, with great benefit to my finances. Once I was ar
rested and locked up in the old Blue Eagle Jail, in Elmira, and
the news was telegraphed far and wide that the biggest rascal
unhung was caged in that town. I stayed there a couple of
weeks, won the sympathies of the people, and when I emerged
from the jail gave circus performances there until I got nearly
all the money in town. I had been arrested for a miserable little
debt that I didn't owe, but I made it pay me big returns. This
event boomed business and put me on my feet again. The im
prisonment I commemorated in a popular song of forty years ago,
' The Blue Eagle Jail.' Several times in my life as a showman
I was arrested in towns where fanaticism's fires burned high,
charged with vagrancy. Mind you, vagrancy, and my profession
worth thousands a year to me. It took a strong argument at
times to secure my release, but I always came off victorious on
the merits of the case. In fact, I enjoyed the arrests, which were
the cheapest and most effective advertising my shows could get.
My old circus also got a great boom when one of my canvasmen
killed a man up York State by a blow with a neck yoke. The
affair cost me $13,000. The canvasman died a good Methodist

170 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

a year or so ago, and but few people ever knew that he had killed
his man.

u When the war came on I hastened Xorth, and though I never
carried a gun, Dan Rice's circus made money for patriotic pur
poses. At the close of the war I settled down at Girard, Pa.,
having there a magnificent country place on the edge of Lake
Erie. Attached to the premises was a splendid park of fine trees,
and to it, during a temporary absence, I sent a party of titled
Englishmen to shoot. 1 never saw them afterward, but I heard
from them. They had anticipated fine sport and big game, but
when they presented their passes and asked for the ' head for
ester/ there arose a slight misunderstanding. My game preserve
was populated by a lame elk, three worn-out circus buffaloes, and
a couple of stuffed black bears. They went buffalo-hunting first,
but the critters refused to run; they shot the stuffed bears full
of bullets, and the lame elk followed them about like a lamb.
Then it gradually dawned upon them that they had been made
the victims of a practical joke, and they left Girard in high
dudgeon.

" And now to think, after all these years and all my narrow
escapes by field and flood, I am sitting here quietly in the twi
light of advancing years, convinces me that there is a divinity
that shapes our ends. It seems strange that here at Long Branch
under such peculiar, quiet circumstances, after years of struggles
and triumphs, where my ancestry lived and died, I should have
solved the greatest of problems, the secret of contentment."

"HEY, RUBE!" THE CRY.

THE OMINOUS SLOGAN OF THE OLD-TIME CIRCUS MEN — ALWAYS
A PRELUDE TO BATTLE — THE CANVASMEN WERE FAMOUS
FIGHTERS, AND WERE EVER READY FOR TROUBLE — TIMES
HAVE CHANGED NOW, AND THE CIRCUS COMES AND GOEb

IN PEACE.

The circus fight is not what it used to be. Canvasmen have
forgotten the traditions of their younger days, and it is no un
common thing for the whole circus to go into a town, show two or
three times and then gather up all the small boys and some of the
large girls and go on to the next town without having once heard
the cry of " Hey, Rube! " and without having seen or heard of
a single fight.

This is not the way it used to be. Time was when the circus
had to go about the country prepared to break heads as well as
hearts, and while the dandies of the company were making havoc

11EMIXISCENCES OF DAX RICE 177

with the flighty young women who semed to think bareback
riding was the way to perfect happiness, the other men — the ones
whose talent lay in big muscle and hard lists — were usually busy
in leaving their print on the noses of all the bullies in town.
Older men of to-day will remember some of the fights back in the
days before the war, when it really looked as if the spirit of the
country had developed to such a point that a little blood-letting
was necessary, such as old Zach Chandler had said. But one does
not need to go back to antebellum eras. Circus fights continued
clear down to the end of the last decade, though in the past ten
years one seems to notice a marked falling off in number of
fatalities.

Showmen themselves used to keep a record of the hard towns,
and if they could get through one of them without a row they
felt like congratulating themselves. And they also kept a list
of the good fighters, and when the show season came along these
fellows with records had a much surer chance of employment
that did the men of whom the boss canvasmen knew nothing.
Cohoes, X. Y., used to be considered one of the hardest towns in
the country for a circus. It was a town that paid pretty well
if the show got through at all, but it was given up to the sluggers
from the iron works on show days, and the police had no more
control over affairs than if they had never been born. Oldtown,
Me., was another bad one, providing the show came along in the
spring or fall, but if it was in the middle of the season, when
the men were either in the woods or not yet come up from the
low^er country, then the fights might not occur at all. Paterson,
X. J., was one of the hardest towns on the continent for circus
fights, and even Champaign, 111., is down on the showman's black-
book for a very combative name.

Scranton, Pa., and, indeed, every coal mining or iron working
district, was expected to furnish a fight every time the canvas
was raised in it. And it might surprise some people to know
that educational centres had a much worse name for this species
of lawlessness than did any of the rude districts of the unlettered
plains. It took unnumbered thumpings for the men at Yale to
learn they could not successfully lam the whole travelling out
fit, but they seemed to have imbibed wisdom at last. Ann Arbor,
the seat of the Michigan University, was one of the last to learn
the same salutary lesson, but the advent of the railroad show and
the disbanding of the companies that were carried about the
country in wagons seemed to bring some degree of discretion
even to these young men.

Down at Jacksonville, Tex., in 1873, Robinson's show under
took to exhibit and they got into one of the hardest fights on
record. The battle lasted from three in the afternoon till mid-
12

178 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

night, and twenty-three men were killed and more than fifty
wounded. At Somerset, Ky., in 1850, Barnum's show ran across
a very bad gang of railroad men, and in the tight which followed,
twenty persons were killed, among them several women. Fore-
paugh's men got into a row with roughs in Kentucky once, and
before it ended they had followed him for three days, stopping
his show in that many towns.

John O'Brien, who, in 1873, ran the best circus on the road,
used to carry what they called the Irish Brigade. They were a
lot of men who seemed to be hired for the general work of can-
vasmen, but whose duties were really to do all necessary fighting.
They were trained in it from the toughest parts of tough cities,
and they loved a row. They were never beaten, and when they
struck a gang of rowdies they always wore them out very
promptly. At Quincy, 111., in 1872, some of the three-card-
monte men and thieves who always go with a show if they can,
robbed a boy, and a negro policeman undertook to arrest them.
A showman came to the assistance of the sharpers, and a row
followed, in which the negro was killed. The local militia com
pany assisted the town officers, and every man belonging to the
circus was arrested. In the trial which followed, the circus man
was acquitted, but the first to start the trouble was fined $400 for
assaulting an officer.

In every one of these cases the circus men go along together as
long as they can without getting whipped, and then they raise
the cry "Hey, Eube! " This seems to be a slogan which calls
to the asistance of the man making it all the men in the show.
It is, to any man who understands it, a terrible cry. It means
as no other expression in the language does, that a fierce, deadly
fight is on, that men who are far away from home must band
together in a struggle that means life or death to them, and that
the men outside who have incurred their enmity must expect
every inch of ground to be bitterly contested. "Hey, Eube!"
is the battle crv of the showmen. No one ever raises it unless he
is in dire straits, and when once heard every man is bound by
the law of self-preservation to go to an instant relief. The cry
was raised in Montpelier some twenty-five years ago, and the
fight that followed was so severe that the legislature for many
years refused to grant circuses a license in Vermont.

One time I was showing in a Southern town when my tent
was blown down. The roof part was ruined, so I had to show the
next day with only the walls up, and the people sat there in the
sun and had a good time until two drunken loafers insisted on
coming in without paying, and then a bitter fight began, ending
in the killing of four men and the serious wounding of many
more. Along in the sixties Yankee Robinson and Frank Howe's

KEMINISCENCES OF DAN 1UCE 179

shows struck an Iowa town on the same day, and as many of the
showmen had friends in the other party, all got together and
had one of the wildest times on record. They took the whole
town, and when the marshal undertook to make an arrest, he
was knocked down and a riot followed. The State militia had
to be called out to quell the disturbance, but before it did so
several men were killed on both sides. In 1881 W. C. Coup's
show was giving an exhibition at Cartersville, Ga., when the
town marshal hit one of the hands over the head, and in the row
that followed, three men were killed and three more crippled for
life.

Showmen who tell about these things always lay the blame on
the bad men of the town or neighborhood where the trouble
occurs, or on too officious peace officers who try to exercise all
their authority in a minute. But it often happens that the show
men are themselves to blame. Sharpers and gamblers of various
descriptions travelled with the circus and kept in the favor of
the fighters with the show by giving them a share of the money
they would take from the countrymen. When the fleeced native
would insist on the return of his money, he would be met with
the whole fighting force of the company. It often happens, too,
that men not really in the employ of the show owners remain with
it for months at a time and are fruitful of nothing but trouble.

Of late years the big shows that chiefly go to large cities have
had more peaceful experiences, and the fight that turns out a riot
is fast becoming one of the things obsolete. The cry of " Hey,
Eube! " is falling into such disuse that in a few years the younger
showmen will have to carry a lexicon along to tell them what the
time-honored old cry used to mean.

THE CIRCUS OF THE FUTURE.

BY DAN KICE.

An old saw, which everybody has heard, says that history al
ways repeats itself. The saying can be applied just now to the
circus business. For the circus business, like history, is about to
repeat itself.

Fifty years ago a circus was designed to amuse. It was not
like the circus of the present, meant to amaze by its glittering
profusion. An old-time circus comprised an aggregation of solid
merit. There was then but one performing ring, and everything
that went on in it was critically watched. The pretty lady bare
back rider, the gymnasts, and even the clown all had to be at the
top of their profession to be worthy of an engagement.

But in the circus of the present, mediocrity reigns. It is now

180 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

the fashion to have three performing rings, in each of which
there are simultaneous performances. No person can watch three
rings at a time, and the circus managers, with the present system
of gigantic aggregations, can engage some really good performers,
and can fill in the picture with other cheaper talent, and few in
an audience can be the wiser.

Glitter, gaudy costumes, clowns with no wit, but with a physi
cal aptitude for falling over a ring, and thus, by buffoonery, rais
ing a laugh, make up the circus of the present.

But the people are becoming weary of this false presentation
of a circus, and in the circus of the near future there will be a
decided return to the good old days of a one-ring circus, and the
best talent that a manager can procure will be a necessity, not
an incidental, as at present. This movement is already in the
air, and next year there will be several of the old-time shows,
which, to the present generation of yuung circus lovers, are new.

The first two-ring circus that ever was formed was that of the
Great Eastern Aggregation, of which George W. De Haven, in
1866, was the manager. Then came P. T. Barnum and his triple-
ring combination, and since then until the past year no one has
dared to take a proper step and make a one-ring first-class circus a
success.

But from the patronage accorded my present one-ring show I
am convinced that the future circus is to be a revival of the old-
time aggregation.

There is one phase of this revival that will affect the pockets
of the bright young actors who now act so cleverly in farce-
comedies. With the revival there will be a demand for clowns
who have humor and spontaneous wit.

With the death of Charley White, not long since, the best of
the old-time clowns passed away, and the clever young farce-
comedy men will have a new field each summer open to them in
the revival, for there will be a great demand for clowns to take
the places of the old-timers who have passed into the great here
after.

GEEAT LIGHTS OF THE CIKCUS.— ONE DOLLAE
A MINUTE.

" The greatest circus clown I ever met was Joe Blackburn, of
Kentucky. He was in some way related to the late eminent
Senator from that State, was a man of education, a gentleman,
and brave as a lion. He was buried in Maysville, Ky., some time
in 1843. It was for many years a custom among circus men
whenever they visited Maysville, to take their bands and play a
dirge at Joe Blackburn's grave."

KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE 181

"And the best voltigeur, who?"

" Mose Lipman, who is yet alive in Cincinnati. He is on record
as having turned sixty-seven somersaults in succession. Jno. L.
Aymar, one of four brothers, was another noted vaulter. He
broke his neck in London, at Astley's, trying to turn a triple
somersault.

" The greatest bareback riders I ever knew were Jim Robinson
and Will Showles. In New York, in a little alley running off the
Bowery, was born Michael Fitzgerald. He was apprenticed to
John Gossin, a famous clown. Some time in the year 1846 Mike
was transferred, for a consideration, to James Robinson, and
taking his name rendered it doubly distinguished in circus an
nals. Robinson was certainly a splendid rider, but William
Showles, whose father and mother are residents of Long Branch,
is, in my opinion, the greatest bareback rider in the world. Oh,
yes, Jimmy Robinson is still riding, though he must be over fifty
years old.

" The greatest American equestrienne undoubtedly was Kate
Stokes, former wife of the late John Stetson. The whole family
were very talented. The father was one of the best riding mas
ters known. One sister married J. B. Doris, the circus manager.
A young sister, Bella Stokes, is a charming actress."

" And the best horse trainer? "

" S. Q. Stokes, of Kentucky. He it was who imposed e Ella
Zo}^ara 7 upon the world. ' Ella's ' real name was Omar Kingsley.
He was born in St. Louis, and being quite effeminate in appear
ance, used to do female acts for Stokes. Omar liked the assump
tion well, and stuck to it; wore female clothes in the streets; In
Germany he associated entirely with ladies, some of them per
sons of social distinction, and was everywhere received and
treated as one of the softer sex. When the deception was first
found out in Europe, Stokes narrowly escaped with his life. One
old Baron, or Barren — means the same thing in his case — who
had offered ' Ella ' his hand in marriage, was so enraged when
he discovered the imposture, that he threatened to kill Stokes
on sight. Stokes didn't seem to scare much, but he returned to
America quicker, 'tis said, than he had at first intended doing.

" Frank H. Rosston has been praised as the best of ring
masters, and the distinction was deserved. He was a journeyman
tailor in Philadelphia, and after joining the circus, which he did,
I think, at my suggestion, developed into the most graceful, ac
complished, and impressive ringmaster in the business.

" The highest salary I ever received was one dollar a minute.
Alvah Man of the National Theatre, in Philadelphia, paid it
to me."

182 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

A MILLIONAIRE SHOWMAN".

BARIUM WAS BY NO MEANS THE WEALTHIEST CIRCUS MAN —
UNCLE DAN RICE TALKS ENTERTAININGLY ABOUT SETH
B. HOWES,, WHO HAS ROLLED UP TWENTY MILLIONS AS
HIS PROFITS FROM THE SAWDUST RING.

" I regard Seth B. Howes as one of the most famous show
men the world has ever known. Barnum? Why, Barnum was
nowhere in comparison. In business ability and enterprise, the
two things Barnum was most noted for, this man I am telling

you of was far and away his superior. Wrhy, B , well, Barnum

is dead, so we won't try to belittle him, but my man is alive and
hearty. Barnum left a couple of millions or so; this man lives
and enjoys twenty millions or more, and all made out of the show
business.

" Seth B. Howes is now retired from business and living very
quietly at Brewster's, N. Y., where many years ago he built him
self a substantial country house on the very spot where he was
born. Where the onion bed was that he used to have to weed
as a boy, he now has his greenhouse, and grows orchids, I suppose
one single root of which may be worth more than the whole bed
of onions of the days gone by. You will see him occasionally
at the Murray Hill Hotel, a quiet, win7-built old gentleman of
seventy-seven, with white mustache and no stuck-up airs about
him. In fact, 3^011 would take him for a parson rather than a
showman.

" His wife was generally with him, as she has been ever since
they were married. She is a handsome, queenly Englishwoman,
very much his junior. I remember them in the sixties when
they travelled with the show. Although she is a thoroughly
well-bred woman and wealthy in her own right, in addition to
the large amount her husband had scraped together, both she
and the old man went about from town to town with just a little
handbag apiece. That shows the kind of life partner she is.

" It was a wonder to everybody that Howes got married at all;
it was still a greater wonder that he managed to capture a woman
in herself charming and so well up in the world of London. The
marriage took place in 1861. Howes was then thirty-six years of
age and had shown no disposition for women's society whatever,
or for scarcely any other society, so to speak. He was all business,
and seemed to think of nothing else. But among bankers and
business men he had already earned a reputation for ability and
wealth, and it was in just such society that he met Miss Amy
Mosely. Her father was a London merchant and she had many

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 183

suitors. She not only chose him from among them all, but im
mediately adapted herself to his life. She was born a business
woman and it was not long before she was running one of her
husband's two great shows in England.

" Howes comes from a family of showmen, the leaders of the
profession in this country. His brother,, Xathan A. Howes, in
partnership with Aaron Turner, of Danbury, Conn., started a
circus from Brewster's in 1826. Seth was working on his
brother's farm at the time, but two years later he joined the
show. He became a partner in 1831, Richard Sands having
taken the place of Turner in the firm. They had good success
for seven years, when the company disbanded.

"' I made my debut under Seth Howes' management. That
was in 1845, at Palmer's Opera House, on Chambers Street.
Madame McCarte was another of the stars. The partnership
consisted of Howes and the brothers Edmund and Jeremiah
Mabie, and it began business in 1810 and continued for eight
years. I was with the show for two years, yet never knew until
after that Howes had anything to do with it, so close was he
about all his business affairs. He was the shrewdest circus man
who was ever on the road.

" About this time he saw that Barnum was making quite a
name, so he joined him. Then he inflated Barnum's head into a
belief that a show travelling around the country would advertise
his museum, which, you will remember, was on the corner where
the ' St. Paul ' building now stands. So the i Barnum Exposi
tion on Wheels ' was started, and Howes carried it all through
the country. He was supposed to have agents all over the
world searching for and importing to the show the most wonder
ful animals that ever existed. As a matter of fact, he bought all
the animals in this country; but even Barnum did not know this
until long after. However, during the five years he ran the show
he made Barnum money, so that did not signify.

" During this time he was figuring on a circus of his own in
New York, and two years before he separated from Barnum,
which was in 1855, he opened the Franconies Hippodrome, which
was on the site of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. In 1854 I paid him
$5,000 for the elephant ' Lalla Eookh,' and went to Boston with
his partner, Gushing. ' Lalla Rookh ' was a wonderful elephant,
the most wonderful that ever lived. She used to perform on the
tight-rope. Poor thing; she went bathing in the river in Indi
ana on a Sunday, took cold and died.

" Well, after that I sold Mr. Howes my trick nmles for $5,000,
and he bought them without ever having seen them perform. He
wa? a man of wonderful enterprise. In March, 1857, Howes £
Cushing's Circus left here for England. No, that was not the

184 REMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE

first American show that went to Europe. I think the first was in
1842, owned by Juan Titus and Angevine. That was the first
to compete with WombwelPs Menagerie, then and for many years
after an institution without which no English country fair was
complete.

" Howes & Cushing's Circus had a great success in England
from the start. They took over with them seventy-two horses
and fifty performers and assistants. They travelled through
England for a year, and then opened at the Alhambra Palace,
London, where Queen Victoria and the royal family honored
t1 em with a visit. That was in 1858. They were at the Palace
twelve months, and then tented it through England and Ireland
for four or five years, during which, as 1 told you, Howes man
aged to pick up his estimable life partner.

" They brought the circus back to NCAV York in 1864, after
having made barrels of money. Why, at one time Howes offered
me $100,000 for my blind horse, the most intelligent animal
and the most marvellous performer there ever was. Understood
every word spoken to him. Howes' idea was to put him on the
stage. That was my mistake. That horse ought never to have
gone into a ring. He was good enough to play all by himself.

" I joined Howes' Circus at Mobile in 1865. In 1845 he paid
me $50 a week; in 1865 he paid me $1,000. He called the show
Howes & Cushing's London Circus, and everywhere he went we
gathered in the dollars rapidly. I suppose the old man was get
ting to think he had made as much money as he cared for, for in
1870 he sold the business to James Kelley and Egbert C. Howes,
and retired. But for all his wealth he was never boastful; on the
contrary. If you chanced to say to him, ' Splendid house to
night! ' he would slowly reply, ' Well, yes, it will just about pay
expenses.' He was liberal, though, without being a fool with his
money."

JAMES A. BAILEY.

The subject of the present brief sketch was born in the city
of Detroit, in 1847, and at the unusually tender age of ten years
gave unmistakable evidence of the possession of those rare talents
and energy that later in life so markedly distinguished him above
all his contemporaries. When at that early age he determined
upon leaving home and seeking his fortune, he sacrificed a com
fortable home and surroundings, for, although his parents were
not what would be called to-day wealthy, they were well-to-do,
and at the death of his father, in 1853, his mother was left in
possession of a modest competency. His mother's death occur
ring, however, shortly after, and upon his brother-in-law being
appointed his guardian his dislike for the inactive life he was

.

JAMES A. BAILEY

IIEMIXISCEXCEb OF DAN EICE 185

leading caused him to hurriedly put into practice the ideas he
had formed o± " going it alone " on the road of life. First turn
ing his thoughts to the country upon leaving home, young
Bailey sought the country and found employment on a farm at
the munificent salary of $3 per month, but this existence after a
few months proved too tame for his youthful aspirations. He
forsook it and made his way to the city of Pontiac, Mich., and
secured a position in the leading hotel there as a bell-boy. There
was one important factor determining this move, that should not
be overlooked, as it serves to show the pluck and spirit of the
boy, qualities that afterwards entered so largely into making him
successful as a man, enabling him to meet and overcome what to
many others would have proved insurmountable difficulties.
There was another boy on the farm whose salary was $3.50 per
month, half a dollar more than young Bailey received, and as the
latter, although in receipt of less money, was conscientiously per
forming his duties and earnestly working more than the other
boy, it naturally engendered a spirit of rebellion against such
discriminations, and as his employer could not appreciate, or did
not, the hardest worker, the latter thought he would remedy .the
matter himself, and did so, by first thrashing the boy, and then
leaving the farm.

It can be readily understood that out of his salary he would
not have a fortune saved up, so, with a light heart, a quick step,
and fifty cents he sought the hotel in Pontiac, Mich. While en
gaged in the hotel his general cleverness, sincere attention to
duty, and alertness attracted the attention of the proprietor as
well as the guests of the hotel, so it came to pass that when the
agent of the Robinson & Lake Circus came to Pontiac, he also
noticed the smartness of the boy, and was so impressed with it
that he induced young Bailey to go with him. From this period
dates the career of one who subsequently became what he is to
day, the leader of showmen, and virtual dictator in that line of
amusements. His career from this time on was a checkered one,
rising, however, very rapidly in the estimation of all those with
whom he became associated. Remaining with the circus until
18()3, he left it to take the position of advertising agent in a thea
tre in Nashville, where, besides attending to his regular duties, he
assisted the manager, and at night acted as usher. This was dur
ing the war, when salaries were small and living expenses high.
While here one night, a Mr. Green, holding the position of
Fnited States sutler, happened in the theatre with a friend, and
finding the house crowded, with few, if any, seats unoccupied,
in his desire to obtain good seats applied to Mr. Bailey, who, at
no little personal trouble, finally secured them. For this cour
teous service a $5 bill was quietly slipped into his hand by Mr.

186 HEMIN1SCENCES OF DAN RICE

Green, but it was instantly returned with thanks "by young
Bailey, who accompanied the action with the remark, u I am
amply paid by the house for courteously treating its patrons and
cannot accept your generosity/' Mr. Green was so struck by
this conduct that he instigated inquiries concerning so remark
able a young man, which resulted in his offering him employment
with him at double the salary he was then receiving. So our
hero became the trusted clerk of an army sutler, and during his
engagement was witness of all the battles of the war occurring
between Chattanooga and Atlanta. At the close of the hostili
ties, being sent in charge of his employer's goods to Louisville,
and finishing all the business entrusted to him, he went for
a few days to Cincinnati, where he accidentally again met
Mr. Lake, his old circus employer, who exacted a promise
from him to again enter that line of business. When Mr. Green
learned of this he felt great regret at having to part with his
trusted clerk and tried hard to get him to remain with him, but
as a promise had been given, it was useless, so the following year
saw young Bailey back again in the show business, where he re
mained until 1869. The following year Mr. Bailey became in
terested in the privileges with Hemmings, Cooper & Whitby's
Show. When the firm of Hemmings & Cooper was changed in
1871, Mr. Bailey was offered, and accepted, a position with them
as general agent, remaining such until Mr. J. E. Cooper formed a
new firm in 1872 with Mr. Bailey as his partner, the new firm
being known as Cooper & Bailey. We now see Mr. Bailey as a
proprietor, a proud position and one earned by himself without
either capital or aid other than the possession of talent, but whose
qualities and abilities were of such a high order that he was in
demand everywhere, but it remained for Mr. Cooper to put the
highest value upon them and to secure him, offering him half in
terest in the show to remain. It was now his talents were devel
oped as an advertiser, and he showed the remarkable power
of his now maturer judgment and riper years, with the venture
some spirit that so conspicuously distinguishes him even at pres
ent. He projected and successfully carried out a tour of the
world with trie Cooper & Bailey Show in 1876-77, visiting the
Sandwich Islands, Australia, New Zealand, India, and South
America, with varying financial success, returning to this coun
try in December, 1878, after that extraordinary trip, just in time
to purchase the Great London Circus. With this latest addi
tion the Cooper & Bailey Show became the largest, as it was the
finest, of all tented shows up to that time, and the birth of a
baby elephant, the first ever born in captivity in the world, so
increased the reputation of the show and added to its attractions,
that Mr. Bailey at once determined upon striking a blow that

REMINISCENCES OF DAX BICE 187

would place his show so far beyond all others that there would
really be but one. How well he planned is best evidenced by
subsequent events. The late P. T. Barnum was then at the head
of the business. Mr. Bailey " went for him " in the language of
the day, and fought him so vigorously, determinedly, and ad
ministered such hard knocks, that he forced the Barnum show
to fly, giving up its favorite territory in the East, thus leaving
that valuable section to the Cooper & Bailey Circus. Next sea
son (1884), with the shrewdness that characterized Mr. Barnum,
he sought Mr. Bailey and made him an offer of partnership. As
he could not compete with the London Circus, Mr. Barnum de
sired to be associated with it and its manager, and the negotia
tions resulted in the grand combination known as the Barnum
and London Shows, of which Mr. Bailey was the sole manager.
From this time out Mr. Barnum ceased to take any more active
part in the circus business than to aid with his money the carry
ing out of the projects emanating in the fertile brain of his young
partner, and it is a fact, not known to the public, however, that all
the vast details of the business of whatever kind or description re
lating to the combined shows were transacted by Mr. Bailey alone,
just as he does to-day, and it is hoped by all his friends he will
continue to do so for many years to come. Ever since Mr.
Bailey assumed a proprietary interest in the circus, it is worthy of
note, that he has striven with great zeal to elevate the business;
has sought with dogged pertinacity to eliminate everything of an
offending character, correcting abuses when any existed, remedy
ing defects, altering, improving, and finally cleansing and clarify
ing the whole until the great institution of to-day, known as the
" Greatest Show on Earth," with its thousand employees, stands
a monument to the genius and extraordinary ability of one man
and that one J. A. Bailey — an institution of such high and com
mercial character that its checks are equal to legal-tender notes,
whose business methods are the best known and whose standing
and reputation in the business world are second to none, sound
principles governing all. .It was this grand show Mr. Bailey
organized and sent to Europe in 1899, and for the past two years
has amazed the people, the sovereigns, and nobility by its mag
nitude and magnificence.

WALLETT.

Win. Frederick Wallett, the Queen's Jester, was the greatest
clown England ever produced. Unlike many other professionals,
he bore his real name, and it is a name such as he had a right to be
1 roud of. He appeared in almost every land where the English
language was spoken, and in many places where it is not, and he
made friends wherever he appeared. He made his first public

188 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

appearance at Hull, his native town, where he played a sub
ordinate part at the Theatre Royal. Since then his life has
been one continued series of professional triumphs. Wallett was
never a buffoon. He was a jester of the old-time school. His
contagious fun had been of a pure character which left a healthy
palate behind. He made his first success professionally in con
junction with Van Amburgh, and subsequently added to his fame
and fortune in identifying himself with my American enterprises.
In the theatre as a pantomimist, and the circus as a jester, he
conclusively demonstrated that a man may be a clown and yet a
gentleman — a jester and yet a philosopher. Wallett was also an
author, who has written a most entertaining autobiography. His
passing away lately has left me pretty much, in the circus world,
like the last man of the club — I call the roll, and none answers
but myself.

BLONDIN.

One of the most daring athletes and original performers of
the century passed away a few years ago in England at the age of
seventy-three. Blondin, whose real name was Jean Frangois
Gravelet, was a native of Xorthern France, and son of a gymnast
who had served under Napoleon. Forty years ago Americans
discovered that the king of rope walkers and equilibrists had ar
rived in this country as one of the attractions of the Ravels.
Blondin was rather a small man, but of square build; well, but
not excessively, muscled, and with a look of middle age rather
than of youth. His feats placed him in a class of his own and he
never had a real rival. Walking a rope was to him like walking
a floor, and he seldom used a pole. Empty-handed, he turned
somersaults backward and forward on the rope, landing on his
feet, displaying more than the agility of a cat. He walked the
rope on stilts and went through vaulting evolutions upon it with
a basket on each foot.

It did not take the public long to discover that this serious-
faced Frenchman was a phenomenon, and he was a favorite for
many successive seasons. He became much attached to America
and looked around for new opportunities to inspire wonder,
though he was always able to execute a hundred feats that nobody
else could touch. In the course of his travels he reached Xiagara
Falls and saw as much that interested him in the gorge and whirl
pool as in the waters of the great lakes tumbling over a precipice.
He had never before run across such a fine set of scenery for an
equilibrist. The idea of walking above the thundering cataract
on a bridge of rope never left him. It awoke him in terrified
dreams and yet fascinated him the more. At the close of 1858
he resided at the falls for several weeks to study the ground.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 189

Then he told the world that he proposed to stretch a rope 1,100
feet long, 170 feet above the torrent, and walk across. He kept
his word June 30, 1859, in the presence of 50,000 spectators.
Later, he crossed blindfolded, with a man on his back and made
sensational rope-walking one of the marvels of the time.

The feat which tried his nerves the most, according to his own
statement, was trundling his infant daughter in a wheelbarrow
over a rope 200 feet long at the Crystal Palace, London, and he
confessed he would not have undertaken it if his wife had not
strengthened his confidence by her own. Ordinarily, Blondin had
no nerves and was proof against a false motion. He was very
careful in personal habits and never touched even the lightest
wines. His only beverage was chocolate. Sometimes his at
tendants blundered, or the rope was disturbed by accident, but
he had a code for avoiding a fall by hooking a leg on the rope.
He took a young lion in a wheelbarrow partly across a high rope
at Liverpool on a Avindy day, and then, finding the brakes de
ranged, backed to the starting point. Of course he persevered
until he carried the feat through, for that was one of his charac
teristics. Blondin said that when he first started up a rope in
boyhood it seemed as easy to him as walking on a plank. He
stuck to the rope for over fifty years, made an immense aggregate
of money, and died with sound bones at a good old age. There
is no way to explain the man except to say that he was Blondin.

GRAXT— JOimSOX.

SOME STARTLING REVELATIONS BY THE " CLOWN OF OUR
DADDIES*' — COL. DAN RICE ON THE CAUSES WHICH LED
TO THE IMPEACHMENT OF JOHNSON — GRANT THE UNSUS
PECTING DUPE OF DESIGNING MEN — JOHNSON'S UNION
RECORD.

Col. Dan Rice was an intimate personal friend of Henry Clay,
Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, and knew General Grant per
haps as well as he was known by any man. During the days of
reconstruction he was a United States detective, having been ap
pointed by President Johnson to protect the interests of the
Government and the cotton raisers of the South against the dis
honesty of Government agents. Colonel Rice was in Washing
ton at the time of Johnson's inauguration, and for some time
after.

Recalling the circumstances leading up to the breach between
President Johnson and those who afterwards sought his impeach
ment, Colonel Rice says:

190 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

" A few days after the inauguration of Johnson, while I was at
the White House in conversation with the President, Col. John
W. Forney,, of Philadelphia, sent in his card. Colonel Forney
was well known as an ardent admirer and stanch supporter of
Johnson, having been intimately associated with him during the
events attending his accession to the Presidency. I retired to
an adjoining room occupied by Colonel Moore, the President's
private secretary, where I heard, distinctly, the conversation
between Colonel Forney and the President. Forney presented
to the President a list of post-office and custom-house appoint
ments for Philadelphia for the President's sanction. Johnson
said, " John, if there is anything I can do for you personally,
command me, but as President, I cannot accept your slate."
Forney left the White House abruptly, and on the following
morning, his two papers, " The Washington Chronicle " and
" Philadelphia Press/' familiarly known as " My two papers,
both daily/7 opened on the President in an article headed, " What
is the matter at the White House? The President closeted with
a clown." I was very intimate with Colonel Forney, and, meet
ing him on the street, asked him what was meant by the articles
in his papers. He replied, " Oh, it's a big card for you, Kice."
" But," said I, " John, you have made a mistake. The President
was right." He complained bitterly at his treatment, and re
marked that he would ruin Jolmson as he had ruined Buchanan.
This was, undoubtedly, the occurrence which led to the open
rupture between the President's party and the impeachment fac
tion. The minds of the people as well as of Government officers
were filled with suspicions of the times, and suggestions of dis
loyalty from any quarter found ready credence. Forney did
everything in his power to ruin Johnson, even going as far as to
indirectly accuse him, through the columns of his papers, of
being concerned in the assassination of Lincoln. What was
Grant's connection with this matter? Grant was one of the most
unsuspecting men in the world, and his credulity was imposed
upon by the Capitol clique, led by John W. Forney, Thad Stevens,
Simon Cameron, and others. I was at that time in Washington
with a big show bearing my name. I was directing the parade
from my seat on the band wagon, and after having serenaded the
heads of the various departments, gave the order " On, to the
White House!" Grant and Forney were standing together on
the sidewalk and overheard the order. Both shook their heads,
and Forney, advancing, advised me not to go, on the ground that
it would make me unpopular. Grant said nothing, but gravely
shook his head. Nevertheless, we proceeded, and the band, under
my direction, played " Hail to the Chief," concluding with
"Dixie." Forney was mistaken, for the vast crowd which had

REMINISCENCES OF DAN KICK 11) 1

gathered was vociferous in its demonstrations of enthusiasm. It
was Forney who put the idea into Grant's head that it was John
son's intention to become " the Cromwell of the hour," and that
his, Grant's, appointment to Mexico was made in order to re
move him from the command of the army, where he was a
continual menace to the President. It was at one time the in
tention of the President to dissolve Congress in order to put an
end to the incendiary speeches of that body, which were apt to
lead to another revolution. It must be remembered that the
troops of Maryland, Xew York, and Pennsylvania were in readi
ness to answer to the President's call. " Se ward's counsel," how
ever, prevailed. He was first in favor of this plan, but later ad
vised Johnson to wait, thinking that some better solution of the
difficulty would be developed. But Johnson's speech at the head
of Pennsylvania Avenue, one night, destroyed all opportunities,
if any existed, of a compromise between himself and Congress.
What was the charge that Johnson was in sympathy with the
South and disloyal to the Union? I knew Johnson from boy
hood. He was honest, patriotic, self-sacrificing in his loyalty.
Owing to his Union sentiments, he was compelled, in the fall of
1850 or the spring of 1SGO, to flee from his home in Greenville,
Term., leaving his property unprotected and his family in tears.
He was piloted through the timber to a place of safety by a col
ored boy by the name of Dick Kennar, an illegitimate son of the
great Kennar of Louisiana. Dick was at one time snare drummer
in my band, and afterwards he became a hack driver in New
Orleans.

Johnson made his way by a painful and tedious journey to
Cincinnati, where he arrived in a destitute condition, and made
his famous speech in front of the Burnett House. From that
time onward his star was in the ascendant until dimmed by the
conspirators at the Capitol. The statement of General Butler, as
published in a subsequent interview, that he had in his possession
documents of a secret character which could have been intro
duced at the impeachment trial, and which he refused to make
public, I regard as an invention of that ingenious politician.

WHAT'S ix A NAME?

Col. Wm. P. Preston, of Louisville, Ky., was a candidate for
Congress. He was the descendant of an ancient family of Vir
ginia. Col. Wm. C. Preston was Dan Rice's circus agent, and
lived a few miles from the city. At the same time that Wm. P.
Preston was running for Congress. Wm. C. Preston was adver
tised to appear in a play at the theatre, the circus season being
over.

192 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Col. Wm. P. Preston had a strong advocate in an Irish citizen,
who controlled the Irish vote. The opposite party were trying
to capture him and his influence, and laughed at him in the way
of ridicule of his candidate, by saying that he was nothing but a
theatre actor. (While Col. Wm. C. Preston was my agent, he was
also an actor, and when he got through travelling with the circus
he made a contract for a week or two to play Mazeppa, his favor
ite play.) The Irishman indignantly denied it. They took him
out and showed him the lithographs representing Mazeppa on a
horse being chased by mountain wolves. The Irishman saw the
name, and said, " Be jabbers, I'll go to the theayter, and if it is
so, the divil a vote will he get from me frinds." The night ar
rived, the Irishman was present, and was so carried away with
the excellence of Col. Wm. C. Preston, thinking he was the
politician, that he got up on the stage when they were called out
and, taking him by the hand, said, " Oi'll vote, and all me f rinds
will vote for you. Ye're a damned soight betther actor than ye
are a lawyer."

The incident created great applause and excitement.

Wm. P. Preston was a general in the late war. An incident of
an interesting character occurred in connection with the distin
guished general, living in Lexington, Ky., in 1885. Dan Rice
lectured at the Opera House in Lexington when he was on his
sixteen months' lecture tour, and he noticed present General
Preston. He told the above story to the delight of the vast audi
ence. It created great laughter and applause. The general was
one of the interesting and honored citizens of the Blue Grass
State. He waited with his friends for Dan Rice, and escorted
him to his palatial home and entertained him most royally that
evening. Preston was an " old-time " WThig. It was this demo
cratic vote that elected him.

A SINGULAR COINCIDENCE.

In the winter of 1889 Colonel Rice was being entertained by
the late Col. John A. Cockerill, Judge Duffy, and Gen. James
R. O'Beirne, when one evening a gentleman approached the
Colonel as they sat in Room No. 1 at the Astor House, and asked,
"Is this Dan Rice?" Colonel Rice arose, and, extending his
hand, replied, " Yes, sir; but you have the best of me." The
gentleman remarked., " Well, you got the best of me about thirty
years ago when you came into my law office at Cincinnati and
wanted my advice about bringing a suit against Nick Longworth,
one of our wealthy citizens, for $80,000. I gave you the advice
and you went off and settled with the gentleman for $60,000, and
never came near your lawyer again,"

REMINISCENCES OF DAN HICE 193

It eventually turned out to be T. C. Campbell, of Cincinnati,
now a citizen of Harlem, a leading politician, and a successful
'aw}Ter, who as he concluded his remarks hurried away, but not
before Colonel Rice had called out to him that the check he re
ceived for the $60,000 went to protest and was now part of the
assets of other days. As he has not, up to this date, sought to
enforce his claim, the distinguished lawyer is doubtless gen
erously availing himself of the statutes of limitation to the ad
vantage of Colonel Rice. An hour or so later as Colonel Rice was
standing at the entrance to the Astor House, Bartley Campbell,
the great dramatist, accosted him, and after a few brief and pain
fully disconnected inquiries as to Mr. Rice's financial affairs,
drew a check-book from his pocket, and after affixing his signa
ture to a draft, he handed it to the Colonel, remarking as he
hurried away, " Write in the amount you need and it will be
all right." A few days later again meeting Colonel Cockerill,
Colonel Rice, in speaking of the strange coincidence of meeting
the two Campbells, he was shocked to learn that that very morn
ing the great-souled Campbell had become forever mentally un
balanced.

To HON. Ex-U. S. SENATOR RUFUS BLODGETT.

Xot to describe men as they are is not to describe them at all,
and if they should exhibit some few venial imperfections, which
is the lot of men, like flaws or specks on a diamond, they are lost
in its general brilliancy and lustre, as viewed from the standpoint
of this writer. He has one quality, however, said to be the usual
concomitant of greatness, and which, no doubt, springs from the
strict purity of his motives, and the sincerity of his opinions, and
that is obstinacy, or, as it is called in more courtly language, firm
ness. He generally adheres to his opinions certainly from no
selfishness or want of magnanimity, but because he firmly be
lieves those opinions to be right, although I positively assert
" it is much more magnanimous to retreat than to persist in
error," let us say what we may. A proper tenacity of opinion is
assuredly preferable to a vibratory, vacillating presiding officer
over an intelligent, deliberative body such as our Long Branch
Commissioners are presumed to be, who changes his mind as
freely and frequently as his apparel, and with much less regard
for appearance. It has been said that " obstinacy and firmness
spring from the same root; it is obstinacy when the course is bad,
firmness when it is good," and with this understanding in its
application to our Honorable Mayor let us call it firmness. It
matters not to what post he has been called — to the State Legis
lature, the United States Senate, the Superintendent of the New
Jersey Central Railroad, or Mayor of Long Branch, in all he has
13

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

proved equal to it, and never one jot above it. He did not grad
uate from Princeton, but has good sense abundant. He never
amazes with his wisdom, nor shocks you by his folly, the just
medium is his highest and safest distinction. He engages the
confidence of all without ever having justly forfeited the kind
regards of any.

ZACH CHANDLER.

During a political campaign I was journeying from Cincinnati
to Chicago on a midnight train. Sleep was out of the question.
I had taken an inside seat and, as is usually the case with most
travellers, began my railway journey by looking out of the win
dow in an abstracted sort of way and thinking of nothing in par
ticular, when I suddenly was made aware of the presence of a
fellow-traveller by a gruff voice asking if the adjoining seat was
preempted. Looking up, before removing a valise which rested
there, I recognized and cheerily greeted my old friend, Zach
Chandler. He received my cordial hand-grasp in a perfunctory
way. I noticed he seemed wretchedly wasted. He certainly was
so mentally jaded that, despite my best efforts to arouse him
with amusing yarns, he scarcely smiled. Remarking that he was
evidently worn out and needed rest, the grizzly political war-horse
shook his mane and, placing his arm across the back of the car
seat, half grunted with a cynical smile, " Rest, Rice, rest. Where
in h — 11 am I to get it here? What kind of rest — like that rock
over there,7' pointing to a big boulder abutting the tracks of the
flying train. "See here, Rice, can you harvest without ploughing;
reap without sowing? " After a lapse of several minutes he con
tinued: " I am tired, but there is no let-up. It's a case of keep
moving with me, or the curtain falls. I am pretty much like a
horse my father once had; he was a thoroughbred, but age was
creeping on. For nearly eleven months he could not be induced
to lie down in his stall; he knew if he did he would never get
up. One winter morning I went to the barn to feed him. He
was dead — he died on his feet."

Twenty-two hours later I accompanied Mr. Chandler to Mc-
Cormick's Hall, Chicago, where he was scheduled for a campaign
speech. Wlien he concluded I alone escorted him to the Grand
Pacific Hotel. After a light supper and a cigar he retired to
rest. If he slept he never woke again; death came to him; he
was found lifeless in the morning.

Meeting General Grant on his return from his trip around the
world, at the St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, I had a long con
fidential talk with him, during which he asked what I thought
of the third term scheme. I replied, " General, under no cir-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 195

cumstances do you allow your good name to be presented before
the National Republican Convention, for you will not only be
defeated but it will dim the lustre of your military greatness and
be a target for your political enemies to direct their shafts of
venom. They will dissect the defects of your two administra
tions, such as the whiskey ring at St. Louis, where General Mc
Donald and Colonel Wm. McKee, and others were locked up at
the Four Courts. Although you pardoned them out, still it
doesn't change the complexion of the rascality and scandal
of your two administrations. Those political comets will
move heaven and earth to blast your character and prejudice
the people/'

HOUSTON AND CAMERON.

In Washington, during his last term in Congress, I was intro
duced to Gen. Sam Houston, by Henry Clay, of Kentucky. I
also, on that occasion., met Capt. Forbes Britton, of Corpus
Christi, a gallant Texas Ranger. He and General Houston and
I were walking on Pennsylvania Avenue, from the Capitol, when
we met Hon. Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania, with whom I
was also intimately acquainted. We shook hands, and Captain
Britton was introduced. General Cameron jocularly remarked to
General Houston, " You must be a Connecticut man." " Why? "
asked the General. " Because I see you not only on the floors
of Congress but on this great thoroughfare whittling a stick."
" Friend Cameron," said Houston, " I am always laboring to be
useful. This is a very small piece of pine timber, you see; it
comes from Pennsylvania, your own State. If I could only whit
tle a ton of it a day I would do so if it would only keep a good
many of your rabid constituents ' sawing wood and saying noth
ing ' about my people and their private affairs — you Yanks want
to know too much." Cameron, who was plainly ruffled, radi
ated one of his graveyard grins and sauntered silently away.

HOBART.

It was during the summer of 1899, made memorable in Long
Branch by the presence of Vice-President Hobart, who lived at
Norwood Park in comparative retirement on account of failing
health, that Colonel Rice was a frequent visitor at Xormanhurst
by special invitation and otherwise. Formalities were dispensed
with by Mr. Hobarfs request, and the Colonel made his visits
whenever he felt disposed to do so. Those informal visits were
a source of mutual interest to both gentlemen, whose past ac
quaintance with Washington life embraced all the shades of so
ciety, both civil and political, with this exception — Colonel Rice's

196 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

broader experience with the " old school " politicians of earlier
days. To be in the Colonel's presence was a fitting excuse for
Mr. Hobart to throw off the dignity of his official requirements
and be himself with a congenial spirit; so, on one occasion, he
invited Colonel Rice to devote an afternoon to an outing with
him, which appointment was religiously kept by the Colonel.
The day in question was in August. The Colonel drove over to
see the Vice-President and his horse was put in the Hobart
stables, and together these two genial spirits in the Hobart car
riage spent a few hours; one to forget the responsibility of public
life and of the arduous toils of office, the one to neutralize the
regrets of the memories of other days, the other the burdens of
a professional one.

Colonel Rice played the part of chaperon on this occasion, and
so faithfully did he meet the requirements that no one ever sus
pected that Vice-President Hobart was the debutant on that
day's outing. They visited several of the suburban towns, going
over the beautiful drives that make Long Branch famous. Mr.
Hobart was particularly communicative to Colonel Rice about
his successes in life, his ambitions, failures, etc., and to quote him
from Colonel Rice's notes, " I am weary of it all, Colonel, and
my failing health makes it doubly so. Although I am a young
manj this affliction is a source of constant torture to me, for I
feel that I have only a short time to stay here, and yet should
stay longer, as my real work in life is but half completed. It
tested the Colonel's strength of will to divert Mr. Hobart' s mind
from himself; but with that delightful tact which characterized
him in the forum and in the arena, he gradually brought his
humor into play until Mr. Hobart again saw the sunny side of life
with the famous old clown as his entertainer. They each in turn
rehearsed past reminiscences which were, no doubt, a trifle ex-
panded by a limited quantity of champagne, which was indulged
in merely for mutual good-fellowship's sake. Mr. Hobart ex
pressed himself as not satisfied with the place of his birth. " Lack
of energy is so marked among the native born," he said, " and all
enterprise is due to the stranger who has made it his adopted
home."

"What is the cause of it all, Colonel?" he asked. "I have
but one answer, Mr. Hobart," the Colonel replied, " it is said that
from time immemorial Long Branch has been the name of a
watering-place, for the Indians used it as such. I think, in all
probability, they left their spirits in the air."

Mr. Hobart suddenly bursting into a hearty laugh, replied,
" Spirits in the air; quite good, Colonel, very good. Too much
fire-water you know, Colonel, made the red man a poor business
man; perhaps the weapon our Christian people in the past used

REMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE 197

(with powder and shot as an incidental aid) to exterminate the
Indian is an irony on each other in this beautiful place of my
birth. I have observed two things to-day/' continued the Vice-
President, " which suggest the meaning of my remark. I was
startled to see so many saloons in Long Branch apparently pros
pering, and in the immediate outskirts such monotonously nu
merous repetitions of houses and farms placarded with the
startling legends ' To Let ' or e For Sale.' It is apparent to me
that it is a pathetic case of cause and effect. Spirits in the air,
Colonel, surely not Indian spirits."

Observing boys playing a game of ball in a near-by field as they
rode by the Vice-President suddenly exclaimed, " I wish I was
there playing shortstop, I do believe I was the most conceited
shortstop that ever lived in the world of amateur baseball; I
never let anything pass me, never lost an opportunity that came
my way." The Colonel, taking advantage of a moment's pause,
ventured to add, " And so it was through all your life, Mr.
Hobart, you were always on the alert, wide-awake to take advan
tage of every opportunity that came your way to honorable ad
vancement. In truth, you never stopped short until you reached
the Vice- Presidency."

" Speaking of my boyhood days," continued the Vice-Presi
dent, " suggests a humorous ' swaddling ' story. Since I re
turned to Long Branch as a summer resident I have been re
peatedly accosted by scores of old school-fellows, who, with par
donable, if mistaken, pride greet me as an old class chum. Well,
honestly, Colonel, it was cruel to disabuse their well-meant im
pressions because, although I was born on what is now Broadway
in Long Branch, and although my father was the village school
master opposite where Gus Byard's farm is to-day, I was five years
old when father gave up his charge and migrated to other parts.
I did not directly disabuse the minds of these gentlemen but
good-naturedly suggested — ma}rbe I went to the same school, but,
alas, in my mother's arms."

THOMAS MCKENNA, LONG BRANCH COMMISSIONER.

A public man of courage and capacity, as just in unmasking
the guilty as he was zealous in defending the right; a man in
capable of giving currency to statements having no foundation
in fact.

Bourbonic, perhaps, in presenting his method, yet fearlessly
honest in uttering his opinions. Without prejudice or venom,
he is naturally devoid of an honest enemy.

The influence wielded by such a man cannot be of a mushroom
growth; its full force can grow but slowly, and improve, like
wine, with age.

198 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Here in all he is a man for conscientious men to cozen to, and
one from whom political rogues must shrink.

His last defeat as a Commissioner will yet prove to be the
stepping stone to his greatest triumphs.

COMMODORE VANDERBILT AND DAN RICE.

The humble origin of the head of the millionaire family is well
known. When a very young man, he sold clams in the streets
of New York from a cart and this was the burden of his cry:

" Here are fine clams, fine clams to-day,
Lately come from Rockaway.
Oh, my cart is broke, my horse is blind,
Pray little boys keep off behind."

Dan was one of the little boys thus appealed to, and in after
life, when Vanderbilt became a millionaire and Dan had become
famous, the former was a great admirer of the aspiring young
jester, and upon several occasions volunteered friendly advice
interlarded with anecdote and incident pertaining to himself.

His youngest daughter was his especial favorite when a child,
and she was almost his constant companion. Upon one of his
visits to Saratoga, accompanied by his little girl and while walk
ing upon one of the principal promenades, he espied an old
huckster woman upon the opposite side of the way attending a
fruit stand, whom he had known well in his youth while strug
gling with poverty and fighting the battle of life, and cross
ing over he shook her by the hand, greeted her cordially and,
seating himself upon a stool, commenced a familiar chat. In the
meantime his little girl, whom he had left standing upon the
opposite side, was accosted by some of her bon-ton acquaintances,
who expressed surprise at the open familiarity of her father with
the poor vender of fruit. Miss, herself, was mortified, and cross
ing to his side she pulled his sleeve and whispered, " Papa, do
pray come away, everybody is wondering at your sitting here."

" My little darling," said the commodore, " shake hands with
this old lady, she is an honest wife and noble mother. Pay no
attention to what remarks are made by frivolous fools, for this
lady is an honest, virtuous woman, commodities scarce in the
market. And remember, darling, that poverty is no disgrace, for
when I married your mother she was a washerwoman."

This revelation made such an impression upon the mind of the
child that it affected the current of her after life, which, up to
the present period has been one of charity and benevolence, ren
dering her name among those with whom she has come in con
tact a cherished memory.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 199

DAN RICE ON JAY GOULD.

The great railroad manipulator was born in the County of
Delaware, State of New York, and while a child he exemplified
the adage that •" the boy is father to the man." The ruling
principle was illustrated by an incident that occurred in his
native town.

Some dainty pies in a confectioner's shop attracted his atten
tion, but the price didn't suit him; they were twopence each.
While the attention of the female attendant was attracted to a
customer, Jay thrust his finger into one and broke the crust, and
upon her return he pointed to it, remarking that it was so dam
aged that she ought to let him have it for half price, and he got
the pie upon his own terms.

He has pursued the same course in his dealings with railroads,
first depreciating and demoralizing the stock and then buying
it up at half price. As Shakespeare says:

" The devil speed him;

No man's pie is i freed ' from his ambitious fingers."

RECIPROCAL GRATITUDE.

In the early fifties, while fighting his enemies, Colonel Rice
often found himself placed in positions that required financial
assistance, and it rarely, if ever, occurred that his requests in
that direction were not recognized. His reliability was unques
tioned, therefore he could command any amuont without even
so much as the scratch of a pen. It was on one of these occa
sions that Colonel Rice called on Daniel Van Wonder to go on his
bond for five thousand dollars to carry on his professional battle,
and this man, who followed the vocation of a butcher in Cin
cinnati, came promptly to his aid, and willingly furnished the
amount with only a verbal understanding between them. The
money, with interest, was returned to Van Wonder at the ex
piration of the time agreed upon. As time advanced he met with
reverses, and Colonel Rice was prosperous, and in the spring of
1856, while the Colonel was in Cincinnati, Van Wonder applied
for a loan of five thousand dollars, with which to buy cattle and
save himself from bankruptcy. Colonel Rice gratefully remem
bered the favor which Van Wonder had previously bestowed in
his behalf, and he willingly gave the sum to his embarrassed
friend under the same conditions of a verbal contract. In four
years the indebtedness was cancelled without a word having been
spoken by Colonel Rice on the subject. Mrs. Hereford, a daugh-

200 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

ter of Van Wonder, lived also in Cincinnati, and subsequently
told the Colonel that her father had instructed his children to
" always be a friend to Dan Rice." An opportunity was offered
some years later to demonstrate the fact that the father's instruc
tions were not forgotten. Several of the Van Wonders located
in St. Louis, and in 1875, Colonel Eice, being in that city, was
hunting around for a loan of ten thousand dollars to replevin
some horses that were owned by the firm of Glidden & Manifee.
They had been trained by Bartholomew in Denver, Col., and were
superb creatures adapted to any performance in the ring. In
quiring of the livery keeper if he knew where any of the Van
Wonders lived, he received for reply, there is one of them now
lying asleep on the couch in the office. It proved to be James
Van Wonder, a son of the Colonel's old friend, who lived in St.
Paul, and was, at present, visiting his brother in St. Louis. After
renewing his acquaintance with Colonel Eice whom he had not
met for years, the Colonel made known his wishes in regard to the
bond, and Van Wonder readily assented to signing the document.
" But you live in Minnesota," said Colonel Eice. " Well," he
said, " I can easily fix that all right by telegraph." " But," said
the Colonel, " the case is not in St. Louis, it is in Edwardsville,
111." Van Wonder replied, " as I own a large tract of land in St.
Clair County, I am a freeholder. If it takes the whole claim I
will sacrifice it. That was the instruction of my father, to al
ways be a friend to Dan Eice." The result was that Van Wonder
telegraphed to the county clerk; the lawyers were satisfied, the
sheriff accepted the replevin bond, and the horses were released
and shipped to Cincinnati.

DAN EICE AND GEORGE D. PRENTICE.

On Tuesday evening George D. Prentice visited the National
Theatre and was the recipient of a marked compliment from the
celebrated humorist, who, after adverting upon the calamities of
the country, and the disasters which had befallen the Union
cause through political " prestidigitators," expressed his pride
and satisfaction at the attendance of our great, accomplished,
patriotic, and devoted member of the press. " That man," said
he, pointing to the gentleman who occupied a conspicuous posi
tion in the boxes, " is George D. Prentice, of Louisville."

The effect was electric; the audience rose en masse, and three
cheers were given for the talented journalist, followed by three
more for Dan Eice. Mr. Prentice bowed an acknowledgment,
and appeared deeply impressed with the compliment, which was
indeed an impromptu demonstration. — " Enquirer," May, 1861.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 201

A DISHONORABLE FLAG.

While the circus was exhibiting in Troy, N. Y., Mr. Rice made
one of his characteristic speeches with a point to it. Said he:

" I am a son of New York, but I cannot admire the city fathers.
They are, in social life, pretty good fellows, but in public, they
are a sort of human cormorant. They also possess capacious
pockets, all of which must be filled.

" Some persons have been rude and ungenerous enough to ac
cuse them of stealing, but this must be an error. A part of their
public business is to make appropriations. Some of these they
make, but never pass; they carry them with them. Hence arises
the charge of peculation. If a man is desirous of losing his
character, he has only to become an alderman. I once heard a
mother say to her offspring who had been detected in some little
pilfering, e If you go on this way you will either be sent to prison
or be made an alderman/ Our city fathers are generally fond
of celebrations, they like to see the Stars and Stripes floating in
the breeze. But there was one Flagg they could never raise —
Azariah C. They tried to put him out because he would not pay
out some of the city's bills, but he turned the tables on them and
let the creditors put ouf the auctioneer's flag instead. i There
was a sell all around/ ' The gist of the last joke was that A. C.
Flagg was the Mayor of Troy, and during his term of office he
at one time approached a certain alderman of that city as follows:
Said he, " A lady called upon one of the members of the Board
to ask his contribution for an Institution for Foundlings. The
alderman was known to be somewhat promiscuous in his amours
and he was equally noted for his parsimony. ' Madame/ said
he, ' I have already contributed largely to similar institutions/

" ' I have no doubt of it/ she replied, ' but please contribute,
in this instance, in money/ '•

DAN RICE.

A name familiar in almost every household in America.

Not long since the " Enquirer " published a reminiscence in
the life of the old showman which was read by Mr. George A.
Emmitt of this city, and it recalled to his mind the time when
Mr. Rice came to Waverly with what was then considered his
mammoth circus and menagerie and exhibited his wonders in the
lot now occupied by the court house.

This property was owned by Hon. James Emmitt, and the
conditions on which Mr. Rice secured the privilege of pitching
his acres of tents there were that he should have the ground lev
elled off, the fence repaired, and all other damages occasioned

202 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

during his stay were to be remedied before he left town. To
this Mr. Rice willingly agreed., but owing to the rush of business
and the late hour of getting together his long train of wagons
preparatory to starting to the next town, the grounds were about
to be left in their untidy state,, when the constable arrested him
for breach of contract.

The humorous circus manager mounted a store box,, and., in less
that half an hour, he had the whole populace convulsed with
laughter by his comical pleading of his own case. Mr. Emmitt
was lenient and, instead of pushing the prosecution, insisted on
entertaining Mr. Rice at his elegant home and the grounds were
afterward put in order at the latter's expense.

DAN RICE'S AUNT'S OPINION or A GAME OF CHESS.

Bice — Do you play chess, Mr. X?

M r. N. — Oh, yes, sir, whenever my professional duties will per
mit; I am very fond of it, sir.

Rice — It's a noble game, and how beautifully our young Amer
ican champion has beaten the proficients of the Old World; not
one of them could cope with the splendid Morphy. The veterans
in the chess circles have met him and been defeated. One only
declined to meet him. His excuse was transparent. He says,
" I might under other circumstances; and I might at some future
time; and my occupation might form an excuse." He is some
thing like an old Staunton cheese — full of mites!

Mr. N. — Harwitz and Anderssen acted more nobly.

Rice — Did they not. They had been accustomed to defeat all
with who they came in contact; they were gentlemen, and showed
that even when their skill failed before the chess-giant of the
West, they could be gentlemen still. It's a splendid game. I
have an old aunt, however, who rather inclines to regard it as a
sort of social trap. She is somewhat antiquated, and we seldom
quarrel with her notions. She will sit bolt-upright in her high-
backed chair — one of the ten thousand brought over in the May
flower with the Pilgrim fathers — with her hands crossed upon
her lap, her spectacles elevated to her forehead, and her cap frill
bobbing with every motion of her head. • She says:

" Chess! Yes, "it's all very well to play chess, but it ginerally
ends in airnest. A gal gits her feller right afore her, and com
mences her movements. The fust on it is them pawns. I know
how they used to redeem pawns when I was a gal. Then the
knights goes galivantin' round the queens in their castles. So
she advances and backs out, and he keeps a-follering up, an' they
get the bishop into the scrape, an' it all ends in their mating.
It's a dangerous percedin', an' very much practised by the gals."

REMINISCENCES OF ' DAN 1UCE 203

DAN RICE'S STORY.

Col. Dan Rice places his history in Pittsburg, and the date
early in 1850. He says at that time there was a livery-stable
keeper by the name of " Billy " Patterson and his place of busi
ness on Penn Avenue near Fifth Street. Patterson had in his
employ a rather green Irishman, whose name was Terrence Leary,
and who loved Patterson better than life. In fact, during the
long winter nights, when Patterson's friends would congregate
around the stove in the stable office, Terrence would declare that
he would murder the man who would dare lay a hand on Patter
son. The friends thereupon chided Terrence, but the doughty
Irishman would take it all in good humor, but still stuck to his
declaration.

Finally, Patterson's friends decided to put Terrence to a test,
and got Patterson himself in the secret. They chose a time when
Terrence was near-by in the stableyard, and then Patterson set
up an awful yell.

"Murder! Help! Terrence, they're killing me," he cried,
and Terrence, hearing the shrieks of agony, stopped his work and
rushed for the office.

" Who hit ' Billy ' Patterson? "

Terrence did not wait to open the door, but in his mad rush to
come to his friend's assistance, crashed straight through it and
bolted into the office. Furniture was overthrown, and in a corner
lay Patterson.

"Who hit ' Billy ' Patterson?" demanded Terrence, his eyes
flashing fire, and seizing one of Patterson's friends who happened
to be near the prostrate man, threw him bodily through the win
dow. The other jokers fled precipitately, and, in a second, Ter
rence and Patterson were left alone. Terrence was soon told of
the joke, but it soon got noised abroad. Colonel Rice got hold
of it and was soon telling it from the ring of his " one-hoss "
show, and in the meantime every one was asking, " Who hit
' Billy 'Patterson?"

TIM DONAHUE'S PHILOSOPHY.

Capt. Forbes Britton, of Corpus Christi, a gallant Texan
ranger, was not only a heroic soldier, a prince of raconteurs, but
one of the best of dancers. He was peculiarly fastidious in all
his ways, either business or social. In his attire he was a perfect
Chesterfield, and the only man who became noted for the atten
tion devoted to his toilet on the eve of battle. I fail to discover,
in reading the history of our great warriors, one who ever made
a point of wearing a ruffled shirt in battle. One of the best

REMINISCENCES OV L>AN 1UCE

stories I ever heard him tell was when he had his company in
the Mexican War, under General Taylor. On a certain occasion
there was a station not far from Victoria. Here the General
issued an order that he would review the troops on a certain
morning. He had often heard of the gallantry of Captain Brit-
ton's company, and one Timothy Donohue, who evidently was an
Irish gentleman of culture, but who became demoralized in New
Orleans. Recruiting officers in that city got him to enlist to go
to Texas, where he joined Captain Britton's company. On the
occasion alluded to the roll was called and all answered but Tim
othy Donahue. Captain Britton suspected the cause, as Tim
would sometimes imbibe too freely when off duty. An orderly
was dispatched to the camp, when Tim was soon seen coming,
staggering, Avith musket on his shoulder. He fell in line and the
Captain addressed him in very stern tones: " Timothy Donahue,
you are drunk on duty. I had hoped, on this occasion, to have
General Taylor make some recognition of your many gallant
deeds by shaking hands with you, but here you are drunk on
duty." He answered, "Hist, Captain! Not another word. I
have only to ask — how do you expect all the virtues in a man for
thirteen dollars a month? "

BEN THORNBURG'S FAME.

At the age of ninety-seven Ben Thornburg has died in the
Washington County Poor House. Although having rounded
out a century with the exception of three years, the man's only
claim to fame is that many years ago he whipped Dan Eice, the
showman. It was not a great feat. It brought him local celeb
rity, but nothing like so much as Napoleon won by being de
feated instead of victorious at Waterloo. Yet Napoleon and
Thornburg died in quite similar predicaments.

However, licking Dan Rice is not necessary to make all the
reputation for a man that he needs. Fame is nothing more than
a place in history and in the mouths of the people who talk. It
satisfies vanity, but only occasionally brings bread. Hundreds
of young Americans who are comfortably started in life's battle
and making business move successfully, would not trade their
satisfying incomes for Shakespeare's world-wide fame. Fame,
after all, comes only with the accomplishment of something un
common. If all were to be famous, fame would be common
place. Ben Thornburg grew famous through his trouncing of
Dan Rice, and maybe he never did anything else m his life but
what was more to his credit. Millions of men are pegging away
day after day doing meritorious things, looking after their house
holds, and living exemplary lives. They make no name for

REMIX ISCEXCES OF DAX RICE 205

themselves,, because they are not whipping circus clowns, leading
armies, wearing their hair long and playing football, making big
winnings in pool rooms, etc. But they serve just as good a pur
pose in the world, and that is all that is required. Ben Thorn-
burg's peculiar fame is just as good as anybody's.

MRS. EVAXS.

The Evans family, of Pittsburg, was a noted one in those days,
and many of them were inventors, and it was Mr. Rice's personal
friend, George Evans, a nephew of Mr. Cadwallader Evans, who
invented the adjustable fire-ladder, and draws a royalty on it at
the present day. Miss Sarah, a daughter of Mr. Cadwallader
Evans, was considered one of the most beautiful women in Pitts-
burg — indeed, the whole of the Evans family were distinguished
for their physical and intellectual charms. Miss Evans married
her cousin Oliver, who bore the same family name, and as she
still continued her residence in Pittsburg after her marriage,
she manifested the same interest in Mr. Rice's welfare that ex
isted in her girlhood days. A short time previous to her hus
band's early death, not enjoying very rugged health, she decided
to go and spend an indefinite time for recuperation at Ravenna,
0., a resort not far from Pittsburg, and Mr. Rice was selected
by her mother to accompany Mrs. Evans, who was to travel by
carriage. Upon her arrival at the hotel the proprietor, Mr. Mc-
Kibben, who was also a friend of the family and had been advised
of her coming, paid every attention and furnished every comfort
that the lady could desire. On account of her personal charms
she attracted as much attention at Ravenna as she did at her
home in Pittsburg, and a few days after her arrival, as she sat
on the porch of the Ravenna Hotel one afternoon, Mr. Rice being
still in attendance on her there, a handsome Kentuckian of dash
ing presence and captivating address drove up in a magnificent
equipage. Xo sooner had he alighted than his eyes fell upon
the attractive Mrs. Evans as she sat apart from the other guests,
and the gentleman at once betrayed an interest that was readily
interpreted by the observers as a clear case of " love at first sight."
In vain he entreated Mr. McKibben, the host, to present him.
The answer was always that Mrs. Evans was not a woman to
tolerate any breach of etiquette committed by a stranger, but the
newcomer, who was no less a personage than Ten Broeck, the
well-known horseman, persevered, and finally recognizing Mr.
Rice as the successful race-rider of previous years, renewed his
acquaintance, and persuaded that young man to deliver a note to
Mrs. Evans begging the honor of an introduction.

Mrs. Evans tore the note into fragments, declaring there was

20G REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

no reply necessary, and her indignation at the fact of Mr. Rice
being used as the instrument of such an undertaking, together
with the offensive perseverance of Mr. Ten Broeck, was sufficient
cause for her to shorten her stay at Ravenna. She was relentless,
and when Mr. Rice drove her back to Pittsburg, a few days after
ward, Ten Broeck was unknown to her save by reputation. On
examining the carriage the next morning after their return, Mr.
Rice found a magnificent solitaire diamond ring in a corner under
the carpet. Soon afterward a maid came from the Evans man
sion to inquire if the jewel had been found, as Mrs. Evans had
missed it on her return. Mr. Rice said nothing, but put the ring
into his pocket and went to the Evans house. With all the
freedom of his impulsive good nature he asked Mrs. Evans, with
a roguish smile, " What will you give to get the ring back?"
" One hundred dollars," she cried; " it cost sixteen hundred."
Mr. Rice said nothing, but left the house, leaving Mrs. Evans in
a state of uncertainty. After he thought he had caused her suffi
cient anxiety, he finally called and restored to her the solitaire,
refusing, of course, to take any reward, and telling her that he
had only punished her a little for her cruelty to handsome Mr.
Ten Broeck. But Mr. Ten Broeck's case was hopeless, though
he was afterward presented to Mrs. Evans in Pittsburg through
the courtesy of Mr. McKibben. Mrs. Evans was early left a
widow, and some time after her husband's death she visited Phila
delphia, where she stayed at the Merchants' Hotel, which was
kept by McKibben, who had previously entertained Mrs. Evans at
Ravenna. It was during her sojourn in Philadelphia that she
married McKibben, and thus ended a romance that had in it the
sentiment of the olden time.

JEAN LAFITTE JOHNSON.

This sketch of the life of Johnson will compare in romantic
interest with the ideal heroes of most works of fiction. His
grandfather was the famous Jean Lafitte, the celebrated bucca
neer of Barataria, who was born in France, either at St. Malo or
Marseilles in 1780. There is uncertainty about his early career,
and accounts vary, but the most authentic describes him as a lieu
tenant of a French privateer, which was captured by a British
man-of-war and taken into an English port, where, with the
officers and crew of the vessel, he was thrown into prison and
confined for several years under circumstances of peculiar hard
ship, which were the more galling, as, long before, all his com
rades had obtained their release. His resentment thereat and
hatred of England in consequence, inspired, it is said, his subse
quent career, and the important service he did the United States
during the British expedition to New Orleans.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 207

Upon his liberation, in consequence of peace being proclaimed
between France and Great Britain, he obtained a privateer's com
mission for the Carthagenian government, then at war with
Spain, under cover of which he is said to have carried out his
revenge by the capture of several English merchant ships, as
well as those of Spain, and it was this which first caused him to
be proclaimed a pirate, although there is no authentic record
of his having plundered the vessels of any other nationality. Sub
sequently he settled in New Orleans in 1807, where, it is said, he
worked at the trade of a blacksmith, his forge being located at the
corner of Bourbon and St. Phillip Streets. The war between
France and Spain caused him and his brother Pierre, who was
also a seafaring man, to fit out another privateer, with which to
prey upon the rich commerce of the Spanish possessions, then
the most valuable and productive in the New World. At that
period the seas were swarming with these pests of the ocean, and
the ships of neutral nations were frequently subjects of plunder,
and a general crusade by the warships of maritime nations was
instituted. It was, therefore, found expedient to secure some
safe harbor into which they could escape from the ships of war,
and where, too, they could establish a depot for the smuggling
and sale of their spoils. The little bay or cove of Grand Terre
was selected. It was called " Barataria," and several huts and
storehouses were built, and cannon planted upon the beach. It
was inaccessible to men-of-war, and it was near the city of New
Orleans, and from it the lakes and bayous afforded an easy water
communication nearly to the banks of the Mississippi, within a
short distance of the city. A regular organization of the priva
teers was established, officers were chosen, and agents appointed
in Xew Orleans to enlist men and negotiate the sale of goods.

Gradually, by his success, enterprise, and address, Jean Lafitte
obtained such ascendancy over those fierce and lawless men that
they elected him their commander. It is not intended in this
sketch to relate the adventurous career of Lafitte, which in itself
would embrace a space equal to that employed in this narrative.
The object is simply to trace the ancestry and origin of one who,
at one time, was intimately connected with the subject of these
memoirs. How, through the agency of Lafitte, the Government
of the United States was put into possession of the plan of cam
paign of the British, in the contemplated invasion of Louisiana,
is a matter of history. The proverbial ingratitude of Eepublics
was also exemplified in its treatment of him and his followers,
when a combined naval and land force, under the command of
Commodore Patterson and Colonel Ross, entered the bay, and,
as the Baratarians would not fisfht against the flag of the United
States, seized their vessels, filled them with the goods found upon

208 KEMINJSCENCES OF DAN EICE

the island, and made captive the buccaneers. But Lafitte, being
forewarned, was not there. He had escaped to a point above
New Orleans, known as the German coast, in one of the vessels
wherein was considerable treasure. That he was offered a rich
reward by the British authorities to aid the English invasion,
has never been controverted, and that he dallied with them until
he could convey their plans to Governor Claiborne is also undis
puted. The packages of Col. Edward Nichols, Commander of
His Britannic Majesty's land forces, and of Sir W. H. Percy,
commander of the naval forces in the Gulf of Mexico, dated
September 1, 1814, to " Mr. Lafitte," and forwarded to the Gov
ernor, may be seen in the records of the United States District
Court in New Orleans. Their authenticity was at first doubted,
but afterwards it was fully established. After the retirement of
Commodore Patterson, Lafitte and those with him who had es
caped, reoccupied Barataria, and subsequently obtained an am
nesty and pardon of himself and followers, as well as the libera
tion of his brother Pierre, who had been taken prisoner, and in
connection with a United States officer, he was employed in for
tifying the passes of Barataria Bay, and in command of a party
of his followers, he rendered efficient service in the battle of
January 8, 1815. President Madison confirmed the amnesty
which had been granted to all the Baratarians who had enlisted
in the American service, but Lafitte never received any further
reward for his services. The story that he perished at sea in 1817
is not borne out by facts. It is known that, after aiding Jackson
at the battle of New Orleans, he founded a settlement on the
site of the present city of Galveston, where there is a grave known
till this day as the Lafitte grave. This rendezvous was broken
up by a naval force in command of Lieutenant, after Commodore,
Kearney, in 1821, but there is nothing authentic of the after
life or death of Lafitte, who is described as a man of noble pres
ence, over six feet high, hazel eyes, and black hair, and winning
and affable address. The terms offered him by the British com
mander, Colonel Nichols, for his cooperation in the invasion of
Louisiana were $30,000 and the command of a fine brig of war,
which he spurned, only to be afterwards denounced by General
Jackson as the leader of a " hellish banditti."

Barataria is once more a solitude, a few dark mounds and scat
tered debris the only evidence of its brief state of active and law
less existence. A tradition exists that there is wealth hidden
beneath its surface, buried by the buccaneers, and the same is
said of the Island of Galveston, but so far the enterprising
searchers have found nothing to repay their efforts. Lafitte had
an only daughter, who, at an early age, became the wife of one
of his lieutenants, a young man named Johnson. The fruit of

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 209

the marriage was the subject of this brief sketch, Jean Lafitte
Johnson, named after his grandfather, the so-called " Pirate of
Barataria," and a girl whose subsequent history is unknown.
After the dispersion of the buccaneers at Galveston, Johnson and
his wife settled in New Orleans where Jean was born and chris
tened by a priest named Hemacourt, as the record of his baptism
will show. When only seven years old his mother died, and
subsequently his father removed to St. Louis. It was in the
spring of 1849 when Dan Eice was in the city that Johnson de
termined to cross the plains to the Pacific slope. He had been
working as a stevedore, and, as at that time the California fever
was strong, he determined upon an effort to better his fortune
in the golden region. His son, Jean, was then a youth, but
strong and active, and with a form which might have served as
a model for Praxiteles. Mr. Eice, who knew the father, saw that
he might readily be made an acquisition to the arena, and he
agreed to take him as an apprentice, thus relieving the father of
considerable anxiety.

Johnson started, and it was the last seen of him, as on his
hazardous journey across the plains he was murdered by the
Indians, at least such was supposed to have been his fate. In
the meantime young Jean proved himself an apt scholar, and be
came a favorite with the public. His symmetrical and graceful
figure and pleasant and ingenuous countenance, added to his
speedily acquired skill as an equestrian, were attributes which
bid fair to exalt him above most of his fellow professionals, nor
did his tutor, Mr. Eice, relax an effort in perfecting his educa
tion, not only as a rider but in the higher school of calisthenics.
Before he had served a year of his apprenticeship, Dan Eice's
horses were seized at Covington, Ky,. as narrated elsewhere, and
Jean Lafitte Johnson became the equestrian hero of the " One-
Horse Show." He shared the varying fortunes of his preceptor
until the end of his apprenticeship in 1854, when he left and
engaged with other companies. Finally he became connected
with John Eobinson's Circus, of which he was a distinguished
and popular member. At this period he fell in love with an
adopted daughter of the proprietor, Maggie Homer by name,
whose father was an old member of the Cincinnati police force.
She was a fascinating young girl, barely turned sixteen summers,
and the attachment was mutual, for Jean was at that time a
counterpart of " James Fitz James," as described by the immortal
author of the " Lady of the Lake."

" Light was his footstep in the dance,
And firm his stirrup in the lists,
And oh, he had the merry glance,
Which seldom lady's heart resists."
14

210 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

The result was a clandestine marriage which was discovered
almost immediately after the performance of the ceremony, and
before an hour had elapsed, his young bride was torn weeping
from him by the Robinson family, and he himself summarily
discharged. It was a sad termination to " Love's young dream,"
and a cruel persecution of a couple who might have lived happily
and together fought successfully the battle of life. Of the two,
poor Jean felt it most poignantly, Maggie's nature was more
elastic, for in the course of time she again married, and became
the wife of " Billy Emerson," the celebrated Ethiopian comedian,
with whom she lived several years. But it is presumed that her
second marriage was merely one of convenience, her heart was
not in it, and finally they separated, when she drifted to Xew
York and became one of the most noted of the demi-monde. But
poor Jean Lafitte never rallied from the blow which was laid
with such relentless force upon his devoted head. His had been
a pure and unselfish love, as it was his first. From that time,
pride, ambition, and all that had previously incited him to action,
and a determination to achieve name, fame, and fortune, lay
dead and buried. Life had lost its charm and he became a reck
less castaway. Had the shock and sorrow killed him, or even
driven him madly unconscious, it would have been a merciful
dispensation, but he lived on to find relief and f orgetf ulness only
under the baleful influence of the intoxicating cup. His pro
fession was abandoned, and he became a wanderer about the
streets, begging from those who knew him in happier days the
wherewith to gratify his craving for the liquid damnation.

A circumstance which endears itself to Mr. Rice's mind as an
incident of his boyhood worth remembering, gives the present
reader an insight into purity of heart and purpose, that existed
in so many families that belonged to the old-time chivalry. It
was the habit of Mr. Rice, as he {ravelled continually, to entrust
a portion of his money with some responsible person for safe
keeping, as the facilities were not so advantageous for depositing
as those of the present day. Colonel Jones', of Wheeling, W.
Va., wife was a very benevolent lady, whose name, in connection
with his, was a household word in all the surrounding country.
She was especially beloved and admired for her kindness of
heart, and her scrupulous regard in acts of charity, and never
neglected a trust that appealed to her sense of honor. Of the
many who enjoyed her confidence, Mr. Rice was one of the num
ber, and, as he was a great favorite on account of his cheerful
disposition and sense of the humorous, she took great interest in
his affairs, and her instructions were always a pleasure to con
template and ponder over. A few days after Colonel Jones had

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 211

been laid to rest, while Mr. Rice was making his preparations to
leave, she came to him and said, " My boy, before the Colonel
was taken away, he told me that if anything happened to him to
give you fifty dollars on your return, and here it is in gold.7' Mr.
Rice thanked her, and said that he did not know what to do with
it as he was travelling almost constantly from place to place, and
asked her to keep it for him, as she had done on other occasions.
She readily assented, and soon after Mr. Rice left and never saw
her afterwards. Some time had elapsed and he was again in
stalled in Pittsburg, when, one day going to the banking house of
Holmes & Co., where he had previously deposited his money form
time to time, he was notified that fifty dollars in gold had been
added to his credit, and gave him a letter that had accompanied
the amount. Which letter explained that Mrs. Jones did not
long survive her husband, and, when she was rapidly declining,
she sent the money to Mr. John McCourtney, of Wheeling, W.
Ya., who acted in the capacity of confidential agent for the bank
ing house, and he, knowing that Mr. Rice had deposited his
money with them previously, put the amount in their charge, for
which Mr. Rice was credited. Thus Mrs. Jones discharged a
duty which has few equals in these days of perplexing embarrass
ments.

It was at the Wheeling races that young Rice met, in the Vir
ginia Hotel, his former patron, Mr. Elliott, of Baltimore, and his
beautiful wife, Madame Celeste, whom he had married under
the following romantic circumstances:

Mr. Elliott and a party of his friends attended the old Bowery
Theatre in Xew York, on the evening of June 27, 1837, to wit
ness the performance of Madame Celeste in the play of " The
French Spy." The fame of this artist had preceded her in this
country, and she was creating here, as she had in Europe, a great
sensation. Not only by her pantomimic action, but also her
artistic display of terpsichorean skill and fascination, is what
caught the impressionable nature of Mr. Elliott, and he pre
sented to her from his box, as she responded to the encore, a very
valuable diamond ring that he took from his finger. Mr. T. S.
Hamblin, the manager, who was present in the box, immediately
went back on the stage and informed the lady through the inter
preter that the gentleman's designs were honorable, then return
ing to the box he invited the coterie of friends to the green-room.
Mr. Elliott was then introduced to the great artist, who invited
him and his friends to lunch with her at the Hotel de Paris on
Broadway, which invitation they accepted. While on the way to
the hotel, Mr. Elliott made a bet of five thousand dollars with Mr.
Harry Sovereign that he would marry the lady within a month,

212 BEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

which he did,, much to the amusement of his friends and the
amazement of Mr. Sovereign, who met the contract with all the
spirit of old-time chivalry. Mr. Elliott and his lovely wife lived
together several years, during which time a daughter came to
grace their home. She was educated at Baltimore, and married
eventually one of its most prominent citizens. Madame Celeste
returned to London after her separation from Mr. Elliott, and
continued her professional career, being a pronounced favorite
in the play-going fraternity.

Among the numerous little episodes that entered the opening
career of his early manhood, Mr. Rice mentions one in which he
figured largely in subduing the question of right of way in the
public thoroughfare, in one locality at least, and which was es
tablished by a resort to honest blows, guided by scientific rules
that made the results most emphatic and impressionable. Con
sequently, he was the conquering hero in a well-earned combat,
and had, for an opponent, a distinguished statesman in embryo.
In the early days, before the railroad had penetrated the remote
districts, the main towns being connected by different stage
roads, there was, necessarily, much opposition among the rival
stage lines that ran on scheduled time over the routes. Promi
nent among those in eastern Ohio, were the two opposition lines
running between Columbus and Marietta. One under the inter
ests and ownership of several of the best and most prominent citi
zens, was called the Hildebrand Company Stage Line, and in
cluded the landlord of the Mansion House, Capt. John Lewis,
John Marshall, owner of the Horse Ferry, the Barbour Bros., and
Mr. Holmes, a prominent merchant. The other was called the
Neil Moore & Co. Stage Line, and the divided honors of the two
companies were about equal. The route at one point lay along
the Muskingum River and the overflow after storms was liable
to cause a crevasse in the embankment, and thus impair the stage
road so that only one vehicle could pass at a time, while others
waited beyond the break. The feeling of opposition ran very
high between the drivers of the rival companies, who were gen
erally strong, hardy boys from the farms in the adjoining coun
try, and the excitement was very great when two opposition stages
happened to meet at a crevasse where one would be compelled
to stop for the other to pass. Many a wordy battle ensued, which
often led to both drivers dismounting and indulging in an em-
pathic " rough and tumble " that would delay the passengers
beyond the schedule time, and each company found it necessary
at times to employ guards to assist in preserving the law of
order. On such occasions, Mr. Rice, who was then a sturdy lad
and not afraid of entering a contest with the largest of them,

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 213

while on a visit to the Reppert farm near Marietta, was asked to
accompany Lemuel Flowers, of the Hildebrand Co. Line, over
the route to McConnellsville and return. With his great love
for adventure, and a spirit fortified for any emergency, he ac
cepted, and thus filled the office of guard to Flowers, who appre
hended difficulty on the journey. All went well after the start,
until they were met by the rival stage very near to the " break "
in the road, and each driver urged his horses with all speed to
reach it first. The Hildebrand stage arrived on the scene about
twenty feet ahead of the other, and halted in such a position that
his rival could not pass. Then it was that " Greek met Greek,"
the difficulty began, and the guard, springing off the Neil stage,
took hold of the wheel horses of the Hildebrand stage to make
way for his driver to pass, when Flowers gave the reins to Mr.
Rice and contended that he had the right of way as he had
reached the " break " first. The guard contested it and they
soon came to blows, when the driver of the Neil stage left his
horses and came to the guard's assistance. He was a tall, gaunt
young man nearly six feet, and was known about the country
by the sobriquet, of " Sockless Jerry," because of his proverbial
aversion to those useful adjuncts of male attire. Young
Flowers could master the guard single-handed, but when the
giant Ohian came to the rescue,, he was not equal to the size
of the reinforcement, so Mr. Rice found it necessary for him also
to interfere and test the strength of the adversary. He vaulted
over the side of the stage just as Flowers was receiving some well
directed kicks from the exasperated driver while he still held the
guard down, and, bringing all his science to a focus between the
eyes of the giant, rolled over with him into the " break " made
by the crevasse, and implanting his scientific blows wherever he
could find a place to do so. They afterwards lefr him in the
hands of the guard whom Flowers had released. The passengers
commended Mr. Rice for the part he had been forced to take in
the affair, and Flowers, with his guard, proceeded on the journey
to McConnellsville, reaching there on schedule time. The news
of the combat had preceded them, however, and spread in every
direction, and the sterner element congregated from the adjacent
farms, etc., to see the heroes of the day. When the stage was
ready for the start on the return trip, the people all gave three
cheers for Flowers and Mr. Rice, who had whipped Jerry Rusk,
and, on arriving at Marietta, they learned that the Neil stage
had arrived an hour behind time. The driver was at the Mansion
House under the treatment of a physician, and suffering from a
badly bruised face, while the guard had gone to his home to
recruit after paying the penalty of his defeat, and was never
known to show a disposition to be a stage guard again. The long,

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

notable career of Mr. Eusk is well known, and his name was a
household word during President Benjamin Harrison's adminis
tration,, when he acted as Secretary of Agriculture. His early
manhood was guided and actuated by good motives that devel
oped him into a brilliant accessory as time wore on, and good
deeds were the inevitable results of his statesmanship. Beloved
for his hearty good-humor, he was always approachable, even in
his official state, and benevolence was imprinted in every linea
ment of his features. " Uncle Jerry " Rusk was a personal friend
of Mr. Rice all through his life, and pleasant social fetes have
brought them many times together. They enjoyed many hearty
laughs over the stage line experience, and he always insisted that
if Mr. Rice had not thrown him into the gully, he would, to use
his own language, " have got away with him/' In recalling to
mind the death of General Rusk — which occurred while he was
under the influence of anaesthetics, and passing through a surgical
operation performed by the Surgeon-General, Dr. Hamilton, for
a painful malady — it is a strange coincidence that Mr. Rice, being
a victim to the same ailment, passed successfully through the
same operation without the use of anaBsthetics under the skilful
surgery of the eminent Dr. D. M. Barr, of Long Branch, X. J.

In connection with the episode of the stage-line difficulty, an
interesting occasion was celebrated the next day in Marietta,
which Mr. Rice attended with all the fires of patriotism burning
in his impulsive nature. The great Whig mass meeting opened
its session in the interest of Gen. William H. Harrison for Presi
dent, and the Hon. Thomas Corwin for Governor. The speeches
of the candidates were exceptionally fine, and Mr. Rice regards
Mr. Corwin as the most able and eloquent stump orator that he
ever listened to. His perfect control over the facial expression
has never been equalled either on or off the stage. Mr. Rice at
that time had the reputation of being a fine natural singer, and
the Committee of Arrangements invited him to go on the stage
and join in singing the campaign songs, which invitation he
cordially acepted. He had received his first instructions in
politics from his esteemed old friend George Reppert, at the
farm, and there had instilled in his mind, a proper understanding
of the principles of the Albert Gallatin school. The crowds
gathered from all parts of the country to attend the mass meet
ing, and Mr. Rice led the principal vocalists in singing the mem
orable song of

" Tippecanoe and Tyler too,
And with them we'll beat little Van.
Van! Van! Van is a used-up man,
And with them we'll beat little Van! "

**^

ADAM FOREPAUGH

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 215

Among the chorus singers on that occasion was Mr. William
Windom, of Belmont County, 0., who eventually became a prom
inent lawyer, and acted in the capacity of attorney in several
instances for Mr. Rice when he was in the circus business. It is
well known how his naturally gifted mind gradually developed
into that of a superior statesman, and he afterward became Secre
tary of the Treasury under President Benjamin Harrison. He
was previously a Cabinet officer under President Garfield, and
was one of the most efficient statesmen in manipulating great
issues that affected either the State or Government that he repre
sented. In later years, when Mr. Rice had retired from his public
career, he renewed the acquaintance with Mr. Windom, and
they enjoyed many social pleasantries, and exchanged opinions
on the prevailing topics of the period; but, upon one subject they
always agreed, they had both sung together the Whig campaign
song of 18-iO, and still retained enough of the old-time spirit to
be classed in the school of Old Line Whigs.

CAPT. TOM LEATHERS.

Tom Leathers, the brave and big-hearted, has gone over at last
to join the majority He has made his last landing, and I trust
cast anchor in the tideless port of heaven. He was one of my
firmest and most faithful friends. He was a man of superb pres
ence and sterling character. He lived in the most romantic and,
at the same time, most material and sensational days of the Re
public, lie was the pioneer pilot of the Mississippi River, and
far and away the best-known and most popular man in the
imperial domain of the Mississippi Valley, whose greatness he
did so much to develop, and in which he was so majestic a figure.
In the early 74()'s I first made his acquaintance. Words are in
deed too weak to recite in detail the story of our mutual interest
or do adequate justice to the memory of days that formed the
unfaltering friendship that I still maintain for him. The follow
ing tribute of a mutual friend, anent the announcement of his
death will suffice to depict, in some measure, his noble character
and ennobling career:

" The popularity and fame of Captain Leathers were a house
hold word in the Mississippi Valley and the staterooms on his
boats brought premiums. He never lost a life. His coolness
and presence of mind never failed him when danger menaced,
which was often. He knew his business thoroughly and his rise
was due to merit. His first boat, I think, was the old ' Princess/
of which he was mate before being promoted to her command.
Tn 1858 he built the first 'Natchez/ and from that day his
prominence as a river man was assured. When his boat was

216 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

burnt on the Black River by the Federal soldiers just after the
war commenced, Captain Tom was ruined. All his earnings
were invested in the boat, but his friends stood by him and
bought the ' Magenta/ which he ran for a while until the second
' Natchez ' was afloat. This is the boat which took part in the
historic race with the ' Eobert E. Lee ' from New Orleans to
St. Louis. The race created great interest throughout the whole
country. Along the river the big race occupied public attention
exclusively for weeks before it carne off. The betting on the out
come is said to have been the heaviest ever known.

" Captain Leathers commanded the ' Natchez ' and Captain
Canon, another popular boatman, the ' Lee/ Both captains
prepared their boats with care. Every extra pound was taken off
the ' Lee/ even the doors and shutters, and the decks of both
racers were piled with resinous knots. On the day of the start
the Crescent City went wild with excitement, and the river for
twenty miles up stream was filled with excursion craft loaded to
the guards with admirers of the rival boats. The start was on
June 30, 1870. The race was a close one and along the river the
people came miles from the interior to catch a fleeting glance of
the flyers. The ' Lee ' won by several hours, making the dis
tance in three days, eighteen hours and fourteen minutes, ar
riving in St. Louis on July 4th, where her crew as well as that
of the defeated i Natchez/ received the freedom of the city.
After this the ' Lee ' * wore the horns ' as queen of the river, but
the result was not considered entirely conclusive. The ' Natchez '
was delayed by fog during the first part of the race and the coal
ing arrangements of the ' Lee ' were much better. She took her
coal on board without slackening speed from fast steamers sta
tioned at points on the route, while the ' Natchez ' had to run in
and take coal barges in tow. This was the last great race on the
river."

Captain Leathers successively built and commanded five boats
called " Natchez/' all of them magnificently appointed steamers.
In those days the boats monopolized the river passenger traffic,
and as there was much competition, the accommodations were of
the costliest description, and the tables on first-class boats were
equal to those of the best hotels of the present da)7. The big
saloon cabins every night after supper were cleared and the pas
sengers had their choice of amusements. There was always a
good band for dancing, and card tables stood invitingly in the
forward saloon. These were the palmy days of gambling, and the
boats were patronized by all kinds of professional sports. It was
difficult for a captain to protect his passengers, but so well-known
was Captain Tom Leathers' determined way with card sharpers
that his boats enjoyed comparative immunity from the swindling

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 217

fraternity. He never drank to excess or gambled himself, and if
a passenger was fleeced on his boat the accused man was hunted
up, summarily investigated, and, if guilty, the boat's nose was
pointed to the nearest bank and the offender " walked the plank "
and waded through mud and water to the shore, sometimes many
miles from a settlement. As such experiences were unpleasant,
Captain Tom's boats were given a wide birth by sharpers, and
consequent!}' the wealthy river-front planters between Vicks-
burg and Xew Orleans preferred the ' Natchez ' always for them
selves and families.

THE CAPTAIN'S HISTORY.

Captain Leathers is a Kentuckian, hailing from Covington,
and has followed the river since childhood. He has married
twice. His second wife was Miss Claiborne, and a member of the
well-known New Orleans and St. Louis family of that name.
He has six children living, three boys and three girls. Captain
Leathers gave up active life on the river ten years ago. He is
now largely interested in the company running boats between
Vicksburg and New Orleans, and has offices in the latter city.
His eldest son, Boland, commands a stern-wheel " Natchez "
belonging to the line and is a chip of the old block. The other
boys likewise followed in their father's footsteps and are
popular.

Captain George A. Devol, who lived for many years in New
Orleans and travelled constantly with Captain Leathers and his
compeers, said yesterday: " Yes, I am well acquainted with Cap
tain Leathers. I knew all of the old-time river captains inti
mately. There was a Captain Canon — he is dead. Captain
Tobin is dead also. Captain White is gone. I guess Leathers
is about the only one left of his generation. And what splendid
fellows they were, brave, generous, and charitable. They took
the greatest pride in their profession, and were square and trust
worthy. I could never get one of them even to accept a present.
The last ' Natchez ' was the fastest boat ever put in the Missis
sippi River. She struck a snag seven or eight years ago while in
command of Boland Leathers and was a total loss. Just before
she started on her last trip her insurance of $125,000 was reduced
to $20,000, and the loss was a bad blow to the old captain. He is
rich, though, and lives in splendid style in New Orleans. He is
just the same unassuming Captain Tom as ever, and an old
friend is always welcomed heartily. His reminiscences of river
life are fascinating. I hope to enjoy another 'pipe' and a
julep with Captain ' Tom ' before either of us makes our last
landing."

218 REMINISCENCES OF BAN RICE

MIFFLIN KENEDY.

Another brave, strong,, gentle spirit has passed away. In the
fullness of his ripened years, enriched with the memories of a
good and useful life, armored with the respect and aureoled with
the tender love of legions, in the twilight of his life's day the
end came and dusk melted into dawn.

His was an instructive career, an inspiring life.

He was a pioneer, and turned from the peace and tranquility
of his boyhood home to mingle in the sterner, ruder scenes in the
border land of romance and adventure. He had within him the
same inquiring,, adventurous blood that set Drake and Raleigh
afloat on the unknown seas and spurred Columbus when he
turned his back to the sun and set the Star of Empire forever
in the West.

In a time and country, and among a people where might was
often right, he only used his influence and power to make them
synonymous.

There is not a single unjust or oppressive act debited on the
ledger of Mifflin Kenedy's life.

He was early thrown amid associates where violence was not
uncommon; he never gave nor took a blow. It was known that
he possessed a resolute will, an iron nerve, and a superb courage.
He commanded respect. His heart was as tender as a woman's.
He inspired affection.

He knew friendship's sacred meaning. To his friends he
was as

" Constant as the Northern Star,
Of whose true, fixed, and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament."

Hatred was a luxurious dissipation of the soul from which his
spirit revolted. He abhorred deceit, dishonesty, and dishonor,
and when he found them in any human being he shunned him.

His charity was as wide as the sky, and wherever he found
human suffering, human misfortune, his sympathy fell upon it
as the dew.

Humanity is better because he lived.

He never sought nor held any political office. This alone
entitles him to distinction. But he was keenly alive to the duties
of American citizenship, and within the scope of his influence
few moves on the political chessboard were made without his
advice, given always for good, always for right.

His time and labor and money had been freely given to bring
progress and prosperity to this country and its people, and his

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 219

hopes were centred in their upbuilding and betterment. It is
pitiful that he could not have stayed to see the material regen
eration of those whom he had led and loved and served so long.
Just now when every sign points to fairer weather, when the
commercial hilltops herald the coming of the better day, when
the seed he sowed in generous wisdom is ripening into bounteous
harvest, when the people, emerging from the wilderness of doubt
and despair, behold just beyond the glint and gleam of the prom
ised land, his leadership is still needed, his voice and presence
will be sadly missed.

" One blast upon his bugle horn
Were worth a thousand men."

Mifflin Kenedy was a keen, sagacious business man. He ac
cumulated wealth, but he used money — he never abused it. Upon
his soul selfishness left not a single sordid stain. He loved the
beautiful, and wealth harnessed literature, art, and science to his
bidding.

DAN EICE, ESQ., Girard, Pa.

My dear Sir: You must not think that I have forgotten your
kindness. I write now to say that it will be impossible for me to
be present on the 'first day of November, when the monument
you propose to raise at Girard to the heroic defenders of the
Republic is to be dedicated. My time is too much occupied with
newspaper and other public matters to allow me to leave even for
a moment. I trust the celebration may be worthy of the noble
object you have in view. For myself, I can say, having watched
your course during the whole rebellion, that your services deserve
to be remembered and honored by the country. Constantly
meeting vast audiences, men, women, and children of all parties,
nothing but loyalty has ever fallen from your lips. Even the
early difficulties that beset your path were removed by the con
sistency and courage with which you illustrated great principles.
I remember well, in the darkest hours of the war, how you
cheered the hearts of those who saw and heard you. Well I do
remember accompanying you to see Mr. Lincoln when you took
him the draft on the United States Treasury over from General
Fremont for $32,000 in payment of steamboat " James Eay-
mond " which he forced into service at St. Louis, and how grate
ful he and Mr. Seward and Mr. Stanton were when you asked
them to distribute it to the widows and orphans of the soldiers.
Again regretting that I will not be able to be present on the first
of November, I am, my dear sir, very truly yours,

SIMON CAMERON.

Washington, October 23, 1865.

220 REMINISCENCES OF DAX RICE

DAN RICE, ESQ., Xew York.

Dear Sir: 1 fully appreciate your claim to be called a " public
man," and, in common with the great mass with whom you are so
constantly in intercourse, recognize the extent and value of your
services as a public man. Whatever may have been Stanton's
true sentiments affecting the admonition and advice you prof
fered the Government involving Southern and Western condi
tions, I frankly disavow any suspicion of insincerity as to your
purpose in presenting, as you diet, with so eloquent and forceful
emphasis, the startling facts concerning his own personal safety.
The ears of public men are honeycombed these days with similar
rumors. Doubtless this may be explanatory of his somewhat
heated reply — that if you were a " public man " you might have
learned to laugh such threats to scorn.

It is unnecessary for me to say more to one of your intelligence,
tact, and courage, than, go ahead as you began in your career of
success.

With assurances of my appreciation of your friendly expres
sions, Very respectfully yours,

S. A. DOUGLAS.

Washington, July 30, 1861.

REMINISCENCES OF HALF A CENTURY AGO. THE VENERABLE
SHOWMAN WRITES TO His OLD FRIEND, HON. S. NEW
TON PETTIS.

The following letter has been received by Hon. S. Xewton
Pettis, of this city, from Colonel Rice, in his day the greatest
circus clown known, and always a favorite here. As is generally
known, Mr. Rice was born and raised in Girard, Erie County.

LONG BRANCH CITY, X. J., September 27.
HON. S. XEAVTON PETTIS.

Dear Old Friend: I had long thought you an inhabitant of
the city of the dead, where marble shafts bespeak the departed
great, statesmen loyal and those of craft, had all succumbed to
nature's mandate, but thanks to a mutual friend, Calvin J.
Hinds, attorn ey-at-law at Girard, Erie County, who sent to me
an Erie paper containing glad tidings that you still live, though
on " crutches," therefore allow me to congratulate you. I trust
that you will soon be able to abandon them, and that your exist
ence on this " mundane sphere " will be painless and that your
great nerve and physical activity will carry you into a grand and
ripe old age, enabling you, when the time arrives to shake off
this mortal coil, to look back upon a well-spent life with a heart
full of hope. I have often thought of you and the many social

KEMIXISCEXCES OF DAN RICE

pleasantries we have enjoyed in the delightful past., and as Moore
says:

" Let fate do her worst, there are moments of joy,
Bright dreams of the past that she cannot destroy,
That come in the night time of sorrow and care,
That hring back the features that joy used to wear,
Long, long be my heart with such memories filled,
Like the vase in which roses have long been distilled;
You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will,
But the scent of the roses will clin to it still."

My dear judge, the joy to me was unspeakable when I read
the enclosed newspaper clipping which answered a letter of in
quiry as to your whereabouts, if living. The accident you met
with came very near causing a different report to reach me. How
sad it is to hear of a person, especially one who has lived a life
of usefulness, passing out of this life when years of experience
have made him doubly dear to the community at large, and it is
thus in your case. Had it been a report of your having left this
sublunary world to join the great majority in the dim and mys
terious region upon the other side of Styx, I, in common with all
who know you best, would have mourned the loss of one who was
useful to his fellow-man, and an honor to his country.

And yet why grieve over the departed spirit of him whose
exalted virtue and underlying faith in the blood of Calvary are
an earnest of beatitude to come? And why should sinners
mourn the Christian dead, who, having shaken off life's weary
load, mount to the regions of eternal bliss to rest upon the
bosom of their God?

I am, and have been, engaged in writing my history, which is
about ready to be placed in the hands of my biographer to revise
and compile, and then the publisher takes it and prints in the
best leading style for the world's amusement and instruction.
And now, as you are aware, I have labored over half a century
under a circus tent, within a radius embracing forty-two and a
half feet of diameter, to promote the happiness of my fellow-
man in the rapidly progressing ages, and I now leave behind me
a work which has almost exhausted my pleasure-freighted mind,
in order to meet the demands that have emanated from my ex
perience and career in the jesting world, and when I have passed
" to the bourne from which no traveller returns," I will have left
a memento which will cause all who read to smile at the vagaries
of the clown, DAN EICE.

By dictation, per private secretary, M. W. B.

P. S. — I would be more than pleased to receive a few lines

222 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

from you,, and to hear of your perfect restoration to health, and
my good wishes follow you to that end. Truly yours,

DAN RICE,

Per M. W. B.

The older class of our citizens, notably Col. James E. McFar-
land, James G. Foster, and J. D. Gill, will probably call to mind
the incident that originated the pleasant relations referred to by
Mr. Rice as having long existed between him and Judge Pettis.
About 1852, Colonel Rice, while in the zenith of his professional
glory and prosperity, advertised to give three performances on
the Diamond in one day — morning, afternoon, and evening. In
the morning, soon after the Colonel's pavilion on the Diamond
was pitched, Hon. John W. Howe, as attorney for Judge David
Derickson, had Rice arrested, charged with maintaining a
nuisance in the square. William II. Davis, Esq., appeared for
Rice, but the magistrate, W. D. Tucker, decided that Rice must
either move his tent, give bail, or go to jail. At that moment
the constable saw Mr. Pettis passing the office, and said to Rice,
" There goes a young man who has a great deal of snap in him,
and I would advise you to call him in," and Rice replied, " Do
so." Pettis looked at the papers and directed the magistrate to
make out the jail commitment, and asked the constable to come
by his office en route for the jail. "When the constable and
Colonel Rice reached the office, Pettis joined them with a petition
for a writ of habeas corpus, which Judge Adrain soon allowed,
and gave notice to Mr. Howe that a hearing would take place in
ten minutes, upon the writ looking to and praying for the dis
charge of Rice from the commitment.

Upon the appearance of Mr. Howe, Mr. Pettis made a speech
of a few minutes, charging that the interference with Mr. Rice's
business was unauthorized, unlawful, unconstitutional, and in
violation of the bill of rights, and concluding with the statement
that Mr. Rice's bills were out for Waterford the next day, and
Erie the following day, and then sat down to hear what Mr.
Howe might have to say against Mr. Rice's discharge. As Mr.
Howe rose, Judge Adrain adressed him as follows:

" Mr. Howe, be brief, be brief, my mind is made up. Mr. Rice
cannot be deprived of his liberty in any such way. He has to
show in Waterford to-morrow, and it is my duty to discharge
him." Mr. Howe, it is said, accepted the inevitable gracefully,
fell back in good order without saying a word, although joining
in the general applause that followed the judge's decision, and
Rice went scot free. The whole scene was reproduced by Dan
that forenoon, afternoon, and evening in the ring, to the amuse
ment of everybody but Judge Derickson.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 223

DEAR MR. RICE:

Yesterday's " Enquirer " contained the enclosed slip which I
forward to you with the best wishes of an unknown friend. I
cannot but wish to congratulate any being who does his best to
make merry, even for a little while, sad hearts and gloomy
mortals.

Stored away in the dreamland of my memory are many photo
graphs, and among them is a cheering one in which you figure
conspicuously, and your name always brings forward, possibly
even you may not have forgotten it. The incident occurred back
in the fifties. John Robinson wanted to have his circus in the
west end of our city and the most suitable place in his mind was
a vacant portion of my father's, Samuel H. Taft, lumber yard,
so Mr. Robinson requested as a favor the use of it, without men
tioning any remuneration. My father was a great lover of practi
cal jokes, so in return requested the privilege of inviting a few of
his friends, his signature being all that was necessary on the
ticket. Then his big heart warmed towards children who were
always his friends, and poor people, and he determined to give
them the memory of at least one circus in their lives. So he
sent word to all the schools of Green Township to close on a
certain day to allow the children to attend en masse, as well as a
general invitation to the whole of that township to come to the
circus, all with tickets with his signature to be admitted free.
Only please call early at his office to avoid crowding and give him
a chance. Though but a child, I well remember the comical
sight of wagon after wagon of every conceivable style filled to
overflowing with chairs on which the country people were seated
fairly choking up Western Row (now Central Avenue). Father
was rushed from early morning till after circus time signing. He
said Robinson was at first mar/, but finally the situation got too
overwhelming for words even for Robinson. Father said he
never had but one regret about it and that was that he had not
invited the whole of Hamilton County. The actors enjoyed the
joke and did their best, so, for the pleasure you gave that day, I
wish you a long and happy life.

Most cordially,

EMMA TAFT TAYLOR.

Cincinnati, 331 Park Ave., Walnut Hills, Dec. 9, 1894.

GIRARD, ERIE COUNTY, PA., Nov. 22, 1867.
Messrs. C. I. TAYLOR and T. G. STEVENSON, Editors "Ionia

County Sentinel," Ionia, Mich.:

I cannot address you as " gentlemen," as you have both
stamped yourselves as mendacious blackguards and malicious

224 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

liars, by the unjust, cowardly, and unprovoked assault upon me
in your paper, a copy of which has just reached me through a
friend.

Neither can I ask you to give me, through your columns, an
opportunity to refute your charge that I abuse religion and its
followers, or entertain feelings of animosity toward the colored
people, for the reason that knowing your allegations to be ut
terly false, and simply a scurrilous dodge to manufacture a capi
tal for the party of obstructionists, political thugs, and thieves,
of which you are both, in intellect and character and habits, such
eminently fit representatives, you would not dare, of course, al
though you may lie about that too, to give me the benefit of a
contradiction. I am, therefore, compelled to resort to the only
other public way left of branding and exposing your villainy.

As far as you are individually concerned, to notice your libel-
ous attack would be a condescension I should never think of
granting, and that I now accord you even a brief moment of con
temptible notoriety is due solely to the fact that, unfortunately
for both the reputation of the Press and the good of society, you
have the facilities for perpetuating and disseminating your
slanderous lies.

It is not because I do not respect true religion and its followers
that you deliberately violate the ninth commandment in assailing
me, but because I will not bow down and worship the idol with the
face of brass and feet of clay which you have set up, as now, as
your National God, and cry, " Slay! Slay! " before it when
resistance has ceased, and through the murder and oppression of
my countrymen I may taste official pap.

My religion is that of the Bible which teaches forgiveness and
charity; yours that of Judas to betray and steal. Born of the
flesh-pots of Egypt, the bastard offspring of shoddy and central
ization, it is at once the creed of the desperate and the damned;
the prelude to destruction and the battle-cry of Hell.

You, as its apostles and. proteges, are expected to blaspheme
at and howl against every sentiment of Christian patriotism and
honest loyalty, and still divided, distracted, and almost ruined
country, a betrayed soldiery, and an impoverished treasury, tes
tify well to the Devil, your master, that you are indeed his faith
ful servants.

Liars and tricksters that you are, you charge me with cherish
ing unkindly sentiments towards the colored people. Let us
compare records, if you dare. I built the first church for slaves
ever erected in this country. I have freely given to educate and
elevate the colored race to a standard of intelligence justifying
their admission to the rights of citizenship, and I have opposed
constitutional amendments proposing to immediately and reck-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 225

lessly confer it because I solemnly believe I am acting for their
best interests, as well as that of the whole community.

What have you done for them? Taxed the country so that
they might learn crime through lives of idle dependence upon
public charity; encouraged them to lawless violence by inflam
matory appeals and promises of plunder; undertaken to arm them
with a weapon both against the country and themselves by plac
ing the ballot in their ignorant and reckless hands. And for
what? To ensure their freedom and their rights before the law?
To establish a great principle or correct a great wrong? Xot so,
ye liars, demagogues, hypocrites, and gamblers, for the seamless
mantle of Liberty! You would betray them as you have betrayed
your country. You would make them an instrumentality for the
revival of civil war, well knowing in your black hearts that they
must certainly be crushed to atoms in the sanguinary and fratri
cidal struggle, murdered, that with their blood you may patch
up your broken power and establish another interregnum of ras
cality. You would make the negro believe himself better than
the white man, and leave him far lower in the scale of humanity
than he is, weighed down forever with the ponderous load of
your iniquity and ingratitude.

But, thank God! you have utterly, signally, and miserably
failed. It is but natural that in the agony of your despair and
defeat you should hiss and snap your fangless jaws at the hand
which has, in a humble way, been instrumental in bringing that
righteous judgment of the people upon you. Twin serpents
torn from the bodies of the Furies, by the hand of Discord, and
fleeing, surcharged with venom, in our midst, you are at last
scratched and the cheering spectacle by your death writhings is
a source of thankfulness and congratulation to,

One of your smiters,

DAN RICE.

A correspondent, writing to the Philadelphia " Inquirer," says,
" I attended a public meeting of the Union men in Mason City,
Va., a few days since, and among those who spoke was a gentle
man by the name of Rice, who the venerable chairman introduced
as a citizen from Erie County, Pa., the Keystone State. Of
course, as a Pennsylvanian I felt an interest in the man, so there
fore I gave his remarks more than ordinary attention. He was elo
quent, powerful, and easy in his address and manner, and won
the admiration of all who surrounded his rostrum. His practi
cal knowledge of the habits of men in different localities, and the
system he pursued in pointing out the bitter possibility of the
success of secession, was no less significant for its originality
than its truthfulness. He told what the manufacturing North
15

226 REMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE

could do, and how essential the activity, genius, and skill of her
people were to the welfare of the great agricultural territory of
the ' Sunny South/ He did not abuse or ridicule any people
for their peculiarities, or scoff at the manners and conventional
ities of those who live in certain localities. He showed himself a
Union man, who had made the history of his country his study,
whose object was to preserve it whole and undivided, and cause
it to go * conquering and still to conquer.' I am told that Mr.
Eice has, for some time, been hard at work speaking for the
Union, leaving the ' Institution ' to run itself. He is not an
enthusiast, neither does he appear like a man who was laboring
for the gratification of personal ambition or pecuniary advan
tage. To speak plainly, he talks like a well-informed, educated
gentleman, who knows what he is talking about, and who works
for the love of the cause he has enlisted in. I do not know
whether he has a desire for office, and I presume he has not, but
it occurred to me that a man like him, who has travelled so far,
has observed so much, and was so familiar with the wants, habits,
and manners of the people of all localities, could not speak in
vain among the lawgivers and sage councils of the nation.

"Perhaps the next place I may encounter this rising young
man, Mr. Dan Eice, may be in the State Senate, or in the Halls
of Congress. More unlikely things have happened, and men of
far less ability and character have been honored in that way.
Depend upon it, that Eice will make his mark, and turn his
abilities to good account."

NEW ORLEANS, February 12, 1851.

Dear Sir: Inclosed find my check for five hundred dollars on
the Canal Bank of this city, given as a small evidence of my ap
preciation of the noble cause you are engaged in. May God in
his goodness prosper you. Although a circus clown, I can sym
pathize with those who sacrifice self for the good of fellow-men.

Truly yours,
To Theobauld Mathew, D.D. DAN EICE.

ORLEANS, February 13, 1851.

Dear Sir: Your munificent gift to the cause of temperance
in which I am a faithful laborer, is gratefully received. I have
been already apprised of your many charitable donations in this
part of your great country for which you are already rewarded,
for it is the conscientiousness of having done a good act that is
man's reward.

Your affectionate friend in the cause of temperance,

THEOBAULD MATHEW.

To Colonel Dan Eice.

EEMINISCENCES OF DAN BICE 227

DAN RICE AND CHARITY.

EVANSVILLE, IND., May 14, 1853.
To THE MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE.

Dear Sir: Being about to pay you my accustomed spring
visit, I avail myself of the occasion, to return, through you, to the
generous citizens of Louisville, my sincere thanks for the kind
feeling and liberal support they have ever extended to me. I
assure you, sir,, that 1 shall ever remember with the liveliest
gratitude the encouragement I met with in your city when fickle
fortune had frowned upon my efforts to buft'et adversity. My
circumstances at present afford me the pleasure of making
some small return for these many favors, and to the extent of
my humble means, I seize the present 'opportunity of doing so.
I shall be in Louisville with my Hippodrome and Menagerie, on
Tuesday the 31st and Wednesday, June 1st, and I tender the
afternoon performance — the second day — the same to be devoted
to any purpose you in your wisdom may deem most laudable. I
remain with great respect,

Your obedient servant,

DAN EICE.

MAYOR'S OFFICE, LOUISVILLE, KY., May 25, 1853.
DAN RICE, ESQ.

Dear Sir: Your note has just been handed to me, and I as
sure you, none of your old friends could be more rejoiced at your
success in life than the citizens of our city, who have had the
pleasure of witnessing your performances, and also your liber
ality on former occasions. From the many acts of charity per
formed by you, we would suppose success would attend you
through life. I will, therefore, on the part of the citizens, accept
your very liberal offer, and designate the " Orphan's Asylum "
as the recipients of your charity.

Very respectfully,

JAS. S. SPEED, Mayor.

A WAR OF WITS.

DOESTICKS VS. DAN RICE.

Two well-known public characters, both at present sojourning
in this city, and both noted for their ambition and faculty for
making the public laugh with, not at, them, have lately taken it
into their heads to pitch into each other, and see if they cannot
make each other cry, while the public still laugh. Mr. Thomp
son, of the " Tribune," widely known as Doesticks, the author of

228 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

many graphic and eccentric sketches of men and manners, not
liking the style, stuff, prolixity, etc., of Dan Rice, of Nixon &
Co.'s Circus, recently criticised that humorist and conversational
ist in a rather tart and testy manner; said he was too tedious in
his talk; wrong in his pronounciation, and wholly guiltless of
fun or other merit as a clown. In return for which public
notice bestowed through the columns of the " Tribune/' Mr.
Rice very naturally retorted, in his province in the ring, and said
several severe things of Mr. Philander Doesticks, which could
not be very agreeable to him, unless he is more eccentric than
the public have given him credit for being. Both the fun-
makers are professional men, each in his line. Both are report
ers, and can give a good or bad report of any one, at any time,
with the advantage of a large circulation. Thus it is caustic pen
against caustic tongue. Each has his partisans, who, no doubt,
severally exclaim, as they sum up the respective hard hits ad
ministered, " If I were not Doesticks, I would be Dan Rice! " or,
" If I were not Dan Rice, I would be Doesticks." Whether the
war will continue, or when it will end, none can judge, say those
who have had experience in the business of bandying person
alities, and can calculate the amount of pleasure and profit in
such a game of public give-and-take. The " Tribune " has a
large circulation, and Doesticks drives a glittering pen. But on
the other hand, Nixon's Circus is of such unusual excellence,
completeness, and originality as to fill Niblo's Garden nightly,
and Dan Rice, with a large audience, has been known to wield
a tremendous influence in the South and West, swaying them
pretty much as he pleased. Dan is an old war-dog, though a
comparatively young man, and his success in taming wild ani
mals, such as the rhinoceros, elephant, bear, camel, and mule,
let alone the horse and pony, argues eloquently for his persever
ance, and, besides this, he has owned and managed circuses,
menageries, steamboats, theatres, and we know not what else,
though we can't say how he will succeed with the " Tribune."

For our part we are generally advocates of peace, but in this
case, we don't care how long the fight lasts. It is a free fight.
The pair are well matched. And what with the eccentricities of
Dan and the gall of Doesticks, there is plenty of sport for the
readers of the " Tribune " and the patrons of Niblo's.

Is THERE A SPY AMONG Us?

The New York " Tribune," of Monday, has the following:
" A sharp lookout should be kept up for the detection of spies.
A correspondent writes to inform us that one Dan Rice, the clown
of a certain circus, being in New Orleans last winter, formed his

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 229

company into a secession military organization under the name
of Dan Rice's Zouaves, and that he threatened all his company
who declined to join his crew, with summary discharge.

u Lately coming northward, this same man has tried to pass
himself off as a Union man, and a few days ago, actually had the
effrontery to deliver a war speech to the volunteers at Erie, Pa.
It is also said that he has in his train several Southern men who
would make very convenient spies for the Rebels to use. This
Rice may, after the manner of his class, be skilled in riding many
horses about the limited circle of his arena, but his attempt to
perform a similar feat with two stools will undoubtedly be fol
lowed by a merited and unprofitable fall."

" Dan is now in this city, and rides but one horse here, and this
is a Union one. If, however, he picks up anything that would
be consoling to Jeff Davis, he should be permitted to telegraph it.
AYc may add in passing, that Daniel fires a good many point-blank
squibs at secession in his ring performances, and seems peculiarly
sensible of the disastrous effects of secession." — " The Daily
Commercial," Cincinnati, 0., May 15, 1861.

DAN RICE ON HORACE GREELEY.

CINCINNATI, May 17, 1861.
EDITORS OF " COMMERCIAL."

Gentlemen: Many of my personal friends, you, sirs, among the
number, have expressed a wonder at the vehement remarks the
Xew York " Tribune " promulgated in regard to me. An absurd
one you quoted a day or two since, and kindly, in your editorial,
proved its fallacy. I respect a free and honest press; appreciate
their good feelings, and am willing at all times to be the subject
of their criticisms. I know the potential nature of the pen, but
I do object to misrepresentation and to have my loyalty ques
tioned. The emetite emanated between myself and one of the
" Tribune " employees, who aspired to be the great humorous
writer of the age. My opinion was that he would fail and he has
done so. His pride was hurt, he became jealous of me, and
vented his spleen in the columns of the paper. This soreness
accounts for the milk in the cocoanut. As a loyal, humor-loving
man, I vindicated the honor of the flag. I was born under the
American banner and I reproved the man who hissed at it. I did
so publicly in the Academy of Music, Xew Orleans, where I 'was
performing. Perhaps were Mr. Horace Greeley man enough to
go there and attempt the same, he would create a greater excite
ment than I could. Petty malice I scorn, therefore I have a poor

230 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

opinion of the " Tribune's " raids against me, and I flatter my
self that I am too well known to be injured by them.

Truly yours.,

DAN EICE.
— " Daily Commercial/' Cincinnati, 0., May 18, 1861.

DAN RICE AND THE CRITICS.

Our good-natured friend, Dan Bice, whose pleasantries in the
circle have done more to make people laugh than all the efforts
of a modern funny writer has ever achieved, appears to have
awakened the spleen of our amicable contemporary of the
" Tribune," and generated one or more very ill-natured com
ments in the columns of the immaculate sheet aforesaid. Of
course the public, particularly in the locality where the cynical
propinquities of the black man's organ are known, receive all
the shafts cum grano salts, and we believe Dan, who is callous to
malevolence and misrepresentation, laughs at the attack and con
siders himself under obligation to W. Horace or his subordinates
for a first-rate notice. We, as journalists, are fully aware of the
responsibilities that devolve upon the position, do most em
phatically object to any paper professing to be respectable, abro
gating to itself the right, by virtue of its privilege, to misrepre
sent a public man, no matter in what relation he stands before
the people.

Personally, we care very little for Mr. Rice, but the position
he has acquired in his profession at once proves the total absurd
ity of the " Tribune's " remarks. A man who can start from this
city, alone and friendless, as this person did some years ago, and
pass the ordeal of criticism before the best judges of humor in
the land, succeed in establishing a universal reputation for ex
cellence from Maine to New Orleans, return to the metropolis
and proudly take possession of the finest place of amusement our
great city can boast of, must surely have merit of no common
order.

Beauty, fashion, and intelligence patronize him, and the papers
speak well of his ability.

Still, the " Tribune " man votes him a bore, and recommends
his speedy annihilation. Have mercy, most sanguinary scribbler,
for remember by your own assertions, you should like Dan, for
has he not taught his mules to act genteely in good society? Do
consent to his remaining on this mundane sphere a " few days
more," and, perchance, when novelties grow scarce, he may
achieve another triumph in rendering acceptable some of the assi-
nine individuals who bray so piteously through the columns of
the " Tribune."—" Evening Mirror." "

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 231

AS OTHEES SAW HIM.

AUTO-BIOGRAPHIC AND POSTHUMOUS SKETCHES OF THE LIFE
OF THE SUBJECT OF THESE MEMOIRS BY BRILLIANT AND
UNBIASED CRITICS, WHOSE RELATIONS WITH COL. RICE
WERE PECULIARLY FAVORABLE TO A DISPASSIONATE ANAL
YSIS OF THE MANY PHASES OF THE CHARACTER OF THE
GREAT JESTER, AND A GRAPHIC REVIEW OF THE TREND
OF CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MOULDED HIS LIFE MOTIVES

AND ROUNDED OUT HIS REMARKABLE CAREER.
RICE'S TACT AXD COURAGE.

A RARE TRIBUTE.

Charles Stow, the well-known writer of the Barmim and Bailey
Show, writing in a reminiscent way of Rice's extraordinary ca
reer, says, " although there have been clowns who were more
humorous than he, there have been none who possessed a tithe
of his eloquence, personal magnetism, and singular ability to
aptly localize the current events of the day. I recall one incident
which strongly illustrates this faculty:

" In the spring of 1868, during the height of the impeachment
trial of President Johnson, Rice's show opened for a week in the
city of Washington. Of course, the excitement created by the
trial militated against all kinds of amusement, and the circus
suffered proportionately. The beggarly attendance at the open
ing afternoon exhibition convinced Rice that in order to suc
cessfully meet with what he facetiously termed the competition
of that cross-eyed clown, Ben Butler, at the Capitol, he must
bring the impeachment question in some shape into the ring,
and thereby attract the attention of the public.

" At the evening exhibition he found his opportunity. Among
the patrons of the show was Senator Zach Chandler, of Michigan,
well known as an active mover in the impeachment proceedings.
Senator Chandler occupied a place in the cross section of seats,
which, in those days, divided the menagerie from the circus ring,
as both were located under the same canvas. While Rice was in
the ring his attention was attracted by a tall colored woman
with a colored bandanna handkerchief tied about her head, who
was craning her neck in an effort to find a desirable seat. Taking
a position immediately in front of where Senator Chandler sat,
Rice, in that stentorian voice for which he was famous, said de
liberately ' Will the Senator from Michigan please seat the col
ored sister? '

232 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

" Chandler., thus unexpectedly addressed, turned crimson with
embarrassment, but after a moment's hesitation, arose, went to
the colored woman, hat in hand, and escorted her to the seat
which he had occupied. The crowd, which had watched the little
by-play with puzzled interest, suddenly broke into a perfect
storm of applause, and when it had subsided, Rice, taking off his
felt fool's hat and making a profound bow, exclaimed: 'That's
right, I honor you, Zach Chandler, for I always like to see a man
practice what he preaches. Three cheers for Zach Chandler! '
and they were given with a force that made the centre pole
quiver.

" After the performance, upon reaching his quarters at Wil-
lard's Hotel, Rice was confronted by Senator Chandler, who in
dignantly reproached him for the unwarrantable liberty which
had been taken with him. Rice, who was a consummate actor
in his way, was apparently overcome with surprise at being re
proached by Chandler, and with an asumption of sincerity abso
lutely convincing, replied: ( Is it possible that you so cruelly
misapprehend my motives? I was animated by the purest feel
ing of personal regard and respect, and, sir, I wish here and now
to assure you that to-night you are envied by every politician
in Washington, and, that, sir, if you will but follow my circus for
six months I will make you President of the United States.' Of
course, before such an explanation, genial Zach Chandler's wrath
could but melt away.

" Rice was essentially a brave man, and I am sure that I do
not exaggerate when I say that he never knew the sensation of
fear. Like most absolutely courageous men he was kindly and
forbearing under provocation. At the same time, he was, in his
prime, the strongest man I ever knew, although of medium
stature, probably not weighing more than one hundred and
seventy pounds, and possessed of extraordinary agility.

" In those days difficulties between a certain element of the
public and circus people were more frequent than now, and Rice,
through no desire or fault of his own, gained the reputation of
being an invincible fighter. This bred in the hearts of bullies
everywhere a desire to gain prominence by whipping the great
clown.

" Rice always tried to avoid these difficulties, but after patience
and forbearance had failed, as they usually did, he would turn
to and in short order blight the hopes of these aspirants for
fistic honors. He never was whipped by any man, frequently
vanquishing several opponents at a time, and came out of all these
rough contests without serious injury. Possibly his fearlessness
was in part due to the fact of his being a genuine fatalist, as he
frequently remarked that the bullet was not moulded which

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 233

would strike him, and his bearing at the pistol's mouth proved
that he believed what he said.

" Rice pursued his nomadic way down the Father of Waters
with varying fortunes and experiences not always safe or pleasant,
until he reached Shreveport, La., on the Red River. This place
had been one of the hotbeds of secession, and was, at the time, the
rendezvous of as murderous a gang of ruffians as ever terrorized
a community. Rice had been warned that, on account of the pre
judicial reports that I have mentioned, it would be exceedingly
dangerous for him to attempt to exhibit in the town, and his
friends urged him not to do so, but to this advice he turned a
deaf ear, simply replying, ' Tell the people of Shreveport that I
will exhibit there as announced.' News of this determination
preceded him, creating a furore of excitement and apprehension,
and when his boat reached the town, a dense crowd was at the
wharf to receive him. When the gangplank was run ashore he
was the first to land, and so great was the respect provoked by
his courageous bearing, that, while verbal insults were heaped
upon him, he was allowed to unload his show and erect his tent
without molestation. But the feeling against him was so bitter
that his entire company refused to appear, the band stampeded,
and even his veteran canvasmen could not be induced to work."

THE GREAT CONVERTED.

DAN RICE AS SKETCHED BY ONE WHO KNEW HIM — HIS EARLY
LIFE, VARIED FORTUNES AND ROMANTIC CAREER — PER-
SON"AL COMBATS AND THRILLING INCIDENTS.

CHAS. STOW IN THE " BUFFALO DAILY COURIER."

The recent conversion of Dan Rice, the world-wide famous
circus manager and clown, has attracted so much attention, and
suggested so many erroneous attempts at biography, that he
might have well exclaimed with the jealous Moor, " Speak of me
as I am! " The awakened interest manifested in the Man of
Motley may render some personal jottings, by one who knew him
intimately, acceptable to your readers.

The arenic brand just snatched from the burning by the hand
of the evangelist at St. Louis, was born in the city of New York,
about the year 1820.

While yet a mere boy, Dan wandered as far west as Marietta,
0., and became famous the entire length of the Ohio River as a
daring jockey and remarkably successful quarter-horse rider. He
subsequently resided at Pittsburg, and there became identified

234: REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

with the first negro minstrel troupe ever organized. The ex
hibition of a learned pig was his first venture in the show business
on his own account. Next he successfully appeared in the more
pretentious role of

" THE MODERN SAMSON,"

giving extraordinary illustrations of strength. This served as
his introduction into the ring in his original and unrivalled role
of clown, or " Shakespearean Jester/' as he was loudly lined on
the bills. He speedily eclipsed all rivalry and achieved unparal
leled popularity and success, and for years his name alone was a
terror to opposition, and sufficed to draw crowded houses.
Strange as it may at first appear, to this latter fact his subsequent
misfortunes are partly attributable. For five or six years, pre
ceding 1869, he was regularly engaged by other circus managers
who paid him

A THOUSAND DOLLARS A WEEK

for his services and the use of his name, and bankrupted his
popularit}'' and brilliant professional reputation by associating
him with inferior exhibitions, for the shortcomings of which the
public held him responsible. Previous to this he owned and
managed different circuses, and the fact that he remained for an
entire season in the State of New York, drove every other tent-
show out of that territory, and cleared nearly a hundred thou
sand dollars, is sufficient evidence of his extraordinary hold upon
popular favor.

In 1869, Dan resumed the reins of management on his own
account, but, like Cassio, he had " lost his reputation/' and, still
more unfortunately for himself, had got above his business. In
stead of attempting to reestablish himself as a clown, he foolishly
undertook to play the gentleman in the ring, and substituting
semi-political exhortations and pointless lectures for song, jibe,
jest, and pantomime, prosed and prosed until even his most
faithful admirers fell away. With almost heroic obstinacy, he
kept on, as he himself best expressed it, " fighting fate " until
1872, when the weight of accumulated debts crushed him. His
beautiful home and valuable property, at Girard, Pa., his flour
ishing newspaper, his fine stock, his show — everything was swept
away, and yet an enormous deficit left, from which he took refuge
in bankruptcy, estimating his debts at something like $200,000,
and stating his assets as " one suit of clothes, $35." Since .then
he has made repeated starts and failures, and even prolonged
dissipation, enough to have killed a dozen ordinary men, did not
seem to sap his indomitable energy and iron will. Until long-

BEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE 23o

continued misfortune drove him to the intoxicating cup for
solace and oblivion, Dan was comparatively a temperate man.
Let this be remembered in his favor.

It would literally require volumes to contain the romantic and
thrilling incidents in the public career of one of the most ex
traordinary of men, for such was Dan Kice, possessed, moreover,
of many of the attributes of positive genius. It is certainly con
clusive evidence of greatness to be greatest in anything, no mat
ter what the calling may happen to be, and that Dan Eice was the
greatest clown that ever lived admits of no argument, if success
and public opinion be accepted as the standard by which to judge.
He has set the motley pattern for his age, and had scores of
imitators, but not an equal. His history is part of the traditional
romance of the arena, and thousands of gray beards yet survive
to chuckle over his earlier escapades, and tell how they have often
seen the performances interrupted with shouts of " Go on, Dan!
we don't want to see any circus; we eame to hear you! " With
the masses he was the demi-god of the sawdust; throughout the
length and breadth of the land they flocked in eager crowds to
greet him; sang his songs, repeated his jokes, and prolonged his
praises. Personally, he was probably the best known man in the
world, and there was scarcely a hamlet on the continent in which
he could not find an acquaintance, and recognize him when
found, for his memory of names and faces was phenomenal, and
after a lapse of several years could call by name persons whom
he had met but once before.

Dan, as a pantomimist, was simply inimitable. He recog
nized the fact that gesture, expression, and attitude were fun
nier than words, and employed them with such consummate
art that his mere entrance into the ring was greeted with
roars of laughter. Add to this a splendid physique; the most
sonorous and far-reaching voice ever heard under canvas, fair
vocal powers, a happy talent for localizing, keen, quick, and
infallible perception, perfect confidence and self-possession,
great natural gifts of oratory, personal magnetism sufficient
to impress the large audience, unchallenged and graceful
mastery over the horse, and a deserved reputation for courage,
physical powers, and reckless liberality, and you have the
secret of success, as well as the imperfect portraiture of a man
more truly sui generis than any of his profession, if not of
his time. Out of such a wealth of material, proper education
and training might readily have moulded a great man in any of
the higher walks of life, and it is well within the range of possi
bility that with grace to continue steadfast in the faith, he
might have become a mighty propagator of the Gospel. As a
member of the church militant he would have also been most

REMINISCENCES OE DAN RICE

redoubtable, for not only was lie worthy to be ranked with Xey
as " bravest of the brave/' but as a physical and fighting wonder
he outranked such celebrities as Bill Poole or Yankee Sullivan,
though without the offensive pugnacity of either. He was about
five feet nine inches in height, and weighed about one hundred
and seventy-five pounds, being far from the " giant form/' and
yet a condensed Hercules in strength, and lithe as a leopard.
He has doubtless had more personal encounters than any other
man of his time, and came off victorious from every one. In few,
if any, cases, was he the aggressor. Local bullies, or rural
knight-errants of the fists, hearing of his prowess, came long
distances expressly to whip him, and used few courtly terms to
make their mission known. Dan invariably sought to avoid bat
tle by enlarging on the beauties of peace and the folly of fight
ing for fame alone; but when it was evident kind words availed
not, he summarily thrashed the aspirant for his undesired and
inconvenient laurels within an inch of his life. He thus polished
a number of quarrelsome ruffians into quite respectable citizens,
and was much esteemed as a public benefactor therefor.

It may be reasonably doubted whether Dan Rice ever experi
enced the sensation of fear, and that his courage was absolutely
bullet-proof admits of no question, upon the thrilling evidence
furnished by his first trip to the South just after the war. Dan
had been a great favorite in that section and the people were pro
portionately incensed against him by the malicious circulation of
a false report to the effect that he commanded a negro regiment
during the rebellion. Threats to shoot him on sight were fre
quently indulged in, and word wras repeatedly sent him, earnestly
advising him, as he valued his life, to stay away. His stern and
only reply was, " I am coming," and he went. The danger had
not been exaggerated; it was simply appalling, and sometimes
caused his bravest men to fly and leave him entirely alone to face
it. His magnificent courage rose equal to every occasion, and
triumphed in every emergency. In one instance he exposed his
breast to a howling mob and dared them to shoot, and in another,
learning that at a certain rendezvous a crowd was assembled,
thirsting for blood, he went there, revealed himself, made an
explanatory speech in the face of a dozen cocked revolvers, con
vinced his mercurial hearers that he had been grossly slandered,
and was finally carried in triumph on the shoulders of those who
had sworn to kill him.

At a small town in Mississippi, while he was taking tickets at
the door of his tent, a drunken bushwhacker came up and fired
point blank at him, the bullet passing through his coat. With
out changing a muscle, he looked his assailant straight in the eye
and calmly said: " Oh, put that up; we are used to that sort of

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 237

thing here. Tickets! Tickets!" "By G— d," exclaimed the
assassin, " you are too brave a man to shoot! " and he thrust his
pistol in his belt and staggered off. It did seem as though Dan's
life was miraculously, and in the light of recent events, it may
be thought providentially, preserved.

^ EOMAXCE IN EEAL LIFE.

BY W. C. CHUM.

Editor Florida State Republican.

It was past the midnight hour on a beautiful July night in
1848, when loud raps were heard at the hall door of a Methodist
preacher's house. That house was conspicuously located on the
main thoroughfare of a delightful country village situated in a
picturesque valley in the interior of the great State of New York.
For a clergyman's family of staid and regular habits to be dis
turbed at such an unusual hour in the thoughts from the visions
of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, was among the
rare things to happen, especially among a people who had prac
tised the maxim of " Early to bed and early to rise makes men
healthy, wealthy, and wise." It was several moments, therefore,
before the follower of John Wesley became sufficiently aroused to
the fact that a stranger was knocking at the door. The good
man hastily dressed himself and, with light in hand, proceeded to
the door, and on further inquiry, opened it, when the well-
dressed form of a handsome young man of less than five and

twenty summers appeared, who asked if Gardner lived

there. On being told that he did, the anxious and blushing
young man was surprised to discover that the benignant dominie
did not recognize him.

" You are my uncle," says he, quickly. " Don't you remember
the boy you used to call Dandy ? "

" Dandy, Dandy," says the preacher, rapidly revolving in his
mind. " why, yes; my sister Elizabeth had a son whom we used
to call ' Dandy ' when he was a little fellow. Do you tell me
you are my sister's son? "

" Yes, uncle, I am the same fellow, only they don't call me
' Dandy ' now."

This last expression, uttered with an air of mental reserve,
created just a little feeling of doubt in the mind of the sus
picions uncle, who took a rapid review of the dashing young
stranger, whose entire appearance indicated a great transition
from the plain and unpretentious surroundings of his amiable

238 KEMIN1SCENCES OF DAN KICE

sister's Methodist home, as he last knew it, while visiting her
years before in a suburban town, where is situated now one of the
most fashionable watering places on the Atlantic seashore. How
can it be possible, thought he, that my sister's son could have
suddenly met with a fortune that would justify such wealth of
dress, display of jewels, and flash of diamonds? This is hardly
compatible with the unostentatious habits of early Methodist
life. But the instinct of consanguinity soon bubbles over where
evidences of blood kin relationship stands out so conspicuously
as it did on the classic features of the honest young man who
stood in full outline before his uncle. He could not but recognize
in his face the lineaments of both his father and mother, who
was considered the belle of the place in her girlhood days, while
his father possessed the physique of a peer of Scotland. It re
quired but a moment longer to unravel the secret of this brief
introduction; so, without waiting for any further ceremony, the
young man sprang into his long-looked-for uncle's arms, and it
may well be imagined how earnest and affectionate was their
mutual embrace. Had the young man dropped down out of the
heavens, it could not have been a greater surprise to his uncle,
who rubbed his hands and shrugged his shoulders, and gave
many other manifestations of the great joy he experienced on
beholding, after the lapse of so many years, the veritable
" Dandy " of his ideal and idolized sister's heart. Years had
passed since he had heard anything definite, and these only
rumors, in regard to " Dandy's " youthful career. He knew that
he had somehow cut his cable, launched forth into the world, and
fondly deemed earth, wind, and star his friends, to become the
architect of his own fortune. But as to the vicissitudes which
had transpired in his career, and the multifarious freaks of for
tune which interposed from the visions of childhood to the more
mature thoughts of adolescence, it was plain to the uncle's mind
that the dashing young nephew had developed to the full stature
of a magnificent specimen of the genus homo, dressed in fault
less style, possessing a physique that would rival an Apollo-
Belvidere.

" Where did you come from, and by what conveyance ? " said
his uncle in expressions of surprise.

" I came from Jefferson," said he, " and hi my own coach,
which is at the door. I cannot stay but a few hours, as I am to
appear at Mechlingburg to-morrow, which is twenty miles from
here, and I ought to be there by twelve o'clock noon."

By this time all the members of the family were fully awak
ened, and joined heartily in the family greeting. When the
street in front of the house was reached by the inmates of the
parsonage, a sight met their gaze hardly paralleled in the scenes

REMINISCENCES OF PAN RICE 239

of the Arabian Xights' Entertainment. There, before a royal
brougham ( ?) bedizzened with an oriflame of tints as gorgeous as
Guido's aurora, or Elijah's chariot of fire, stood four of as beauti
ful milk-white Arabian thoroughbreds, richly caparisoned with
an ornate and elaborate solid gold mounted harness as ever
graced the royal equerry of King Solomon's court. On the
front sat a proudly-dressed colored Jehu holding the ribbons,
four in hand; on the rear sat a liveried footman, draped after the
custom of his order, lending to the tout ensemble a strikingly
picturesque air. Expressions of admiration and surprise from
all the members of the household followed in rapid succession,
while directions wrere given to the grooms to carefully house the
unique equipage. Suitable lodgings were also provided for the
various attaches. It was well into the w^ee small hours before the
studious disciple of the " Fellow of Lincoln College " exhausted
himself of questions necessary to solve the meaning of such an
elaborate turnout. Briefly running over a few years of his later
life, " Dandy " entertained the family with hints only of his
chequered but romantic career, which, in effect, possessed all the
charms of a fairy tale. The particulars, however, of this portion
of our story must be reserved for the future.

JOHN B. DORIS' REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE.

" I can see back thirty-six years as though it were but yester
day," said Mr. Doris. " My first visit to Washington was in
1863, as an agent for the old Dan Rice show. He played that
season down on Four-and-a-half Street, near the Avenue. Within
a stone's throw was the government reservation, afterward trans
formed by the landscape artist into one of the most picturesque
parks in the world. Four-and-a-half Street wasn't a very swell
neighborhood at that time. It was low, damp, malaria-breeding,
and from the door of our tent I could see for blocks over a vast
expanse of mud and lowland. But Colonel Shepherd, the Michael
Angelo of Washington, came later on and gave the nation a city
fit for location in the corner of a star. Dan Rice was, of course,
the reigning attraction in those days.

" We played here a week in 1863, and President Lincoln and
his wife were among our distinguished callers. The President
was a personal friend of Rice, and came around to Dan's dressing-
room after the performance and recalled Dan's barnstorming
tours through Illinois in the fifties.

" Mr. Rice never tired of recalling that visit of the martyred
President; of how the great man tossed aside all austerities and
decorum and sat on the edge of a huge trunk, his long legs

240 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

entwined, his knees in his hands, and his high, flat-rimmed tile
on an angle, as he chatted, laughed, and cracked a batch of favor
ite gags. We played Washington every season from 1863 to the
early seventies. In 1867, we rented a lot near the Baltimore
and Potomac Station, on Sixth Street. That was my first year
with the Forepaugh show. In the early sixties Eice was under
the management of Spaulding & Rogers, who made a fortune
in the fifties on the Mississippi River with their boat shows. They
had a floating circus, and played the town along the levees. The
ring was pitched in the middle of the boat, and the performance
consisted of trained dogs and horses and the old clown specialties.
Spaulding left an enormous fortune, and his son, Col. Charles
Spaulding, the owner of the Olympic Theatre, and a million
dollars' worth of property in St. Louis, is the wealthiest theatre
proprietor in America, though few, even among theatrical people,
are aware of that fact.

" Dan Rice signed a contract for a long term of years with the
Forepaugh show at a salary of $25,000 per year. The younger
generation of theatre-goers who hear their daddies and mommers
rave over Dan Rice have but a hazy idea of the talents of this
great genius of the sawdust ring.

" Rice was a man of versatile talents and a fine mind, deeply
read in everything, from the classics to the latest political and
sporting events. To be sure, he depended first of all on his suc
cess as a clown, but he wasn't the sort of conventional clown we
see in the circus to-day. Rice was a talking clown or jester, a
sort of Touchstone with eloquence, wit, poesy, and mirth, the
originator of all his quips and sayings.

" It required an actor of no mean ability to produce the enter
tainment provided by Rice. His artistic Touchstone style of the
clown was never equalled before or since. The Rice clown died
with his retirement and gave way to the hybrid species of the
buffoon. This buffoonery replaced the legitimate jester of the
Rice type and the clown of to-day is merely an incident of a
circus, a filler-in on the programme, a fickle shadow of the bril
liant substance of the Rice days. But Rice's talents were not
confined to the clown specialty. He was a trainer of animals,
horses being his specialty. His trained horse, Excelsior, was
one of the most intelligent animals that ever bowed to the beck
of its master. Excelsior was as blind as a bat. Certain words
from his master meant certain -tricks. The feat of training a
blind horse was regarded as a sensation in those days and would,
be just as much of a sensation to-day, for that matter. Rice's
trick stallion, Stephen A. Douglas, a graceful Arabian steed, was
another of Rice's pet trick animals, and he was almost as big a
favorite with the public as old Excelsior."

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

DAN RICE TO THE FORE.
CHECKERED CAREER OF THE MAN.

BY JOHN A. COCKERILL,.

Eighty years have sped along since he first saw the light of
day. In the earlier years of his career Dan Rice was one of the
best-known characters in America, and he was a sort of model
for the boys and girls who flocked to see his show.-

Wealth rolled in his coffers and the great showman-clown was
believed to be a millionaire. He was extravagant in his habits,
and, like many men who possessed a much greater share of edu
cational and refining influences, he could not stand prosperity
and gradually he ran down the grade and was lost to public view,
bearing the fatal stamp that to him his life was a failure. About
a year ago many friends who had a pleasant recollection of his
former years of prosperity, and sympathizing with the veteran
clown in his declining years of adversity, inaugurated a testi
monial benefit at the Union Square Theatre, and thus raised a
substantial sum of money, which placed the old man above imme
diate want.

Formerly Uncle Dan made his headquarters in New York,
and with his faithful wife found a home in the Everett House,
where Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and other noted men fre
quently have enjoyed all the comforts of home. The old clown
felt an irrepressible desire for a long time to return to the scenes
of his first love and earlier triumphs, and expressed a hope that
he might, like Richards, at least die with harness upon his back.
Some of his ancient friends and zealous admirers extended en
couragement to him by drawing painful pictures of the strong
contrast between the clowns of to-day with the unique and origi
nal character he portrayed.

SKETCH OF THE OLD SHOWMAN".

Dan Rice's real name was Daniel McLaren. When a lad he
was a stable-boy on various race-tracks and was known as " Dusty
Dan." He was agile and acrobatic and became an acrobat, with
wonderful energy and amazing physical strength. It was not
remarkable, with such training and early surroundings, that his
physical prowess should lead him into the roped arena, and in
1828 it is recorded that the Pennsylvania Legislature adjourned
to witness a sparring exhibition between Kensett, the John L.
Sullivan of the day, and young Dan Rice, as he was known then.
16

212 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

He was a strapping fellow of twenty, and by this event Uncle
Dan's age at present is fixed among the eighties.

Shortly after this fistie encounter, Dan, who was possessed
largely with the gift of gab, began his career as a clown. He
modelled his work after Wallett, a famous English jester, and
speedily took front rank as a wit in the West and Southwest, his
earliest fields of conquest. His popularity became so great that
he started a show of his own with a wonderfully trained pure
white stallion christened Excelsior, and rival managers used this
feature to refer to him as running " a one-horse show." The
horse was a winner, however, and proved to be such a success that
when Excelsior died another horse much like him and bearing
the same name soon supplied his place. Rice in those days was
an eloquent stump orator, and when his show reached a small
town he would harangue the populace from the balcony of a small
tavern while the circus was being filled up, and at its conclusion
he would extend a cordial invitation to his hearers to visit " Dan
Rice's Great and Only Show."

A PUBLIC BENEFACTOR, TOO.

Not only as a clown, but as a benefactor, was Dan Rice known
in his early days. He built an iron fence around one of the
parks in New Orleans, made generous donations to building
schoolhouses, churches, orphan asylums, and market-houses, and
often made the small boys happy by scattering a handful of shin
ing coins among them while his procession was moving along the
streets.

Once he landed in jail in Albany. The " Whip," a virulent
paper published at the capital by George Jones, late of the New
York " Times," and edited by the late Hugh Hastings, attacked
Dan, and he employed its author, Chester Clarence Moore, the
author of " The Night Before Christmas," to respond in an at
tack upon the late Dr. Spaulding. Dan was arrested for libel
and was thrown into the " Blue Eagle Jail." Spaul ding's son
Charles, of St. Louis, and Rice joined fortunes years afterwards
and the show was taken to Paris, but the law was evoked for
bidding the erection of frame buildings and the venture was a
failure. In this city, during the year of the International Fair,
he became involved pecuniarily and unable to keep engagements
elsewhere; he hit upon a happy expedient by placarding the
fences of Philadelphia with big posters, reading, " Dan Rice
Can't Get Away." The late Avery Smith was pleased with the
wit of the clown and loaned to him sufficient money to take him
to the Quaker City.

CES OF DAN RICE
DILEMMA DURING THE WAR.

When the Civil War broke out Dan was on a steamboat bound
for Mobile, but he presented his show under the Stars and Bars,
and on his return North made amends for this indiscretion by
sending the Stars and Stripes to the breeze and subsequently
erecting a handsome monument in Erie, Pa., dedicated " To the
memory of the soldiers of Erie County who fell in the defence of
their country — erected by Col. Dan Rice.7' During one of the
Presidential campaigns in this city Dan had banners flung across
Broadway reading:

FOR PRESIDENT,
COL. DAN RICE,

OP

PENNSYLVANIA.

His agents laughed at it and made an advertising scheme of
it, but the ageing showman entertained the matter seriously, and
politics turned his head. His show wras a failure, and Dan tried
hard to be sent to Congress from one of the Pennsylvania dis
tricts, but failed. In 1865 Forepaugh paid him $25,000 a year
to join his show, and during the seasons of 1866 and 1867 he re
ceived $27,500 a year, the largest salary ever paid to a circus
clown.

KNEW DAN RICE.

MRS. HEMMINGS7 TALK OF THE OLD CLOWN WHO HAS JUST
DIED — WAS POPULAR AMONG CIRCUS PROFESSION AS
WELL AS THE PUBLIC.

The death of Dan Rice, clown, circus owner, the forerunner of
P. T. Barnum, recalls to one Philadelphia family in particular
the career of one of the most remarkable men in his line that
ever catered to the amusements of the public. Richard Hem-
mings, of 656 North Tenth Street, who, in the sixties, was the
part owner of the Hemmings & Cooper Circus, paid Dan Rice in
the season of 1867, $21,500, which was a salary of $1,000 a week.
According to the recollections also of the "earlier inhabitants"
of this city, Dan Rice gave full equivalent to the public in so far
that he furnished fun by the wholesale.

244 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Mr. Hemmings is in Baltimore at present attending the great
Elk meeting, but Mrs. Hemmings, who was one of the Whitby
family, equestrian performers, in those golden days of the circus
ring, is intimately acquainted with the life history of Dan Eice.
Mrs. Hemmings, already as a child performer, looked upon Eice
as the greatest circus man then alive, and her reminiscences of
him would fill a volume.

It seems a long, long while ago when the name of Dan ]£ice
became known to me. I remember distinctly, however, how the
country went wild over Eice's antics in the sawdust ring. The
older residents of this city should recall easily how he made them
shake with laughter. His history, of course, it is not for me to
recount here, but from a personal standpoint, and that of my
husband, who was his employer once, wTe had much to do with
Eice. How he lost his fortune, reformed his ways, and again Lost
his all, will some day become part of circus history. Two years
ago he called on us and stayed over night at the house. He was,
of course, not the same Dan Eice who used to amuse the public
and his fellow-performers alike. But there was enough of the
old favorite about him to make the visit one we shall long
remember.

KICE AS AN ARTIST AND A GENTLEMAN.

BY PARK BENJAMIN.

One who knew the illustrious Dan only when rigged out in his
motley suit and parti-colored garments, would hardly recognize
this quiet and gentlemanly looking personage on Broadway to be
one and the same. Dan Eice is a New Yorker born and bred.
But years have elapsed since he first shone like a meteor in the
ring, when his rollicking wit and contagious humor and wanton
wiles set the whole audience in a roar. We have seen a great
many attempts of fun in our day, but never one who seemed to
be possessed of so genuine a spirit of frolic, with so capital and
quick an apprehension of the humorous, with a more certain
power of controlling his hearers as if by the influence of animal
magnetism. If he goes on as he has begun, studying his art and
endeavoring to excel in it, the biography of the stage or circus
will present no more successful jester. He will surpass even the
renowned Joseph Grimaldi, whose memoirs employed the piquant
pen of Charles Dickens through two very considerable volumes.
There is a good-looking sobriety and placid composure in Dan's
countenance, which are hardly consistent with one's ideas of the
character of a clown. But we can assure our readers that Mr.

KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE 245

Eice is a very respectable man in private life, of irreproachable
morals, undeviating propriety of conduct, gifted with feelings of
kindness, courtesy, and benevolence. He does not imagine, like
too many of his profession, he has a license of behavior because
he is a showman, but thinks that every calling can be rendered
honorable by the honor of him who follows it.

Just after Du Chaillu departed I met Dan Rice, and felt about
twenty years younger in a moment, for while I was a small boy,
Dan was the most famous clown in the world, and a bigger man
in my eyes than the President of the United States and all the
crowned heads of Europe combined. I recalled a terrible strug
gle within my little self in an Illinois town as to whether I
should go to the circus to see Dan Rice or hang about the hotel
to see Abe Lincoln. I got out of it by learning that Lincoln
himself had gone to the circus, as every one but the preachers
did in those days. Dan is about three-score-and-ten, but looks
not a year past sixty, and is loaded to the muzzle with good
stories, which he fires off with hair-trigger quickness. He has
put many of his recollections in a book, soon to be published,
of which he has high hopes. It is dangerously funny, two men
already having laughed themselves to death over the opening
pages, but he thinks, perhaps, the victims had some unsuspected
organic weakness before they began. Dan was one of the few
showmen who were bigger than their business. During the Civil
War he used to make patriotic speeches at each of his perform
ances and they were full of soul and sense. He subscribed liber
ally for many patriotic purposes during the war, and for soldiers'
monuments afterwards. He also did some effective religious
exhorting and turned an intimate acquaintance with John Bar
leycorn to good purpose by lecturing on temperance, in which he
is still a firm believer, although admitting that there are notable
exceptions to the advisability of total abstinence. He said to me:
" Drink is very bad for most men, but I can't learn of a really
great man in the world who doesn't take his occasional tod — and
have to do it." — Anonymous N. Y. Letter to Chicago " Tribune."

RICE'S PERSONALITY.

BY DR. FREDERICK VALENTINE.

My first personal interview with Dan Rice cost me ju§t $50.25
and I do not regret it. He came to my little den on the 18th day
of October, 1893, with a card of introduction from a mutual
friend — a very charming mutual friend I may say — he came to

24:6 KEM1NISCENCES OF DAN KICE

remain but a few minutes and these he wished to cut short be
cause he saw how busy I was.

The minutes grew to hours, that yet seemed seconds. This
grand old juvenile who has lightened so many hearts in his bluff,
cordial manner, whose charities are none the less splendid be
cause he kept them secret, whose bonhomie and cheerfulness
make his seventy-one years of life a simile of the perpetual
youth Ponce de Leon did not find, drove to oblivion the cares and
troubles that weigh heavily upon us all. He mellowed by his
mere presence, by his perennial wit, by his impregnable buoyancy,
the very atmosphere, so that my engagements for the day, which
would have paid me fifty dollars, were forgotten. He augmented
the expense by smoking a cigar that cost me twenty-five cents at
wholesale, and, irrepressible entertainer that he is, he consumed
a wealth of matches. His jokes were numerous, the cigar con
tinually went out.

He is the only man I ever met who can use the personal I with
out appearing egotistical. He has the modesty which is an essen
tial to greatness.

Our conversation was barely finished when he clapped one of
his vigorous hands upon my shoulder and exclaimed: " Val, my
biography must be written and you are the culprit to do it! "

It was said in the manner, in the voice, and in the facetious
earnestness with which erstwhile he made his bow in the circus
ring.

So this, without the spangles and the paint, this in the sober
ness of real life was the great clown — no, " jester." His every
action made me a boy again — wishing the old tent were nearby,
so that with throbbing heart I might hear the blare of the band
and, if I had not the quarter to purchase admission, might steal
my way in, to where the very air was redolent with Dan Eice's
jokes — and sawdust.

Who could refuse the offer, who could decline the honor of
endeavoring to make all the world young again by recording the
reminiscences of this boy — this hearty, great, good-natured boy,
though he has seen seventy-one summers?

" But I warn you, old man/' he said, " you will be the seventh
who undertakes the task."

"The seventh?" Tasked.

" Yes, the first died, the second broke his leg, the third lost
his mother-in-law and went crazy with joy, the fourth caught
consumption, the fifth gave it up as a hopeless job, the sixth
merely copied some of my incoherent manuscript and got a hun
dred dollars out of me — which I blush to confess. So if you
take your life into your hands, you must have it insured before
you begin the work."

JOHN KOBLXSON

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 247

Men have insured and lost their lives in less worthy causes.

In accepting the appointment to record Dan Eice's reminis
cences and jot down some of the things about him which he has
not told me, I deplore that cold type is inadequate to reflect his
inimitable manner, his strong, mobile features, the silver sheen
of his hair and beard, white as the driven snow — nothing of the
remarkable vitality of this great-grandfather, who will in memory
stand as the prototype of " Chidner, the ever youthful." To
paraphrase the author,

" Dan Rice stand immer an diesem Ort
Und wird so stehen ewig fort."

THE RECOLLECTIONS OF A VETERAN.

INTERESTING REMINISCENCES OF THE DAYS OF THE ONE
HORSE SHOW.

Uncle Dan Rice, the veteran showman and clown, entertained
quite a coterie of old friends and acquaintances at the Emmitt
House yesterday afternoon. At the conclusion of his lecture,
which seemed to be vastly appreciated by the audience, a " Daily
Xews " representative sought and obtained an interview with
him. Seated in the reading-room of the above-mentioned hos
telry, a very pleasing hour was spent in chatting with the veteran
of the sawdust arena, probably the most popular and original
man that ever donned the motley garb, and made jocund the
rural heart with genial quips and jests. Although placarded and
billed generally as the " Clown of our Daddies," and from the
familiarity and notoriety attached to his name, Mr. Rice is not
a Methuselah as might be supposed by many. His May of life
has not fallen into the seer, the yellow leaf, as Mr. Macbeth re
marked of himself, to any considerable degree. To our repre
sentative he appeared like a well-preserved gentleman, slightly
this side of his sixtieth -milestone on the journey of life. He is
stoutly built, of a good figure, and from his philosophical and
contented appearance, the reporter came to the conclusion that
he was comfortably lined with good Emmit House capon. A
shrewd, kindly, weather-beaten face, ornamented by a snowy
beard dependent from his chin, beamed above a billowy expanse
of white vest. When he opened the floodgates of mind and mem
ory, the talk flowed incessantly, and was frequently enlivened by
a ripple like a dash of epigram or satire. As he had just stated in
his lecture that he used to be a frequent visitor to Chillicothe,
the reporter asked him when he last came here. He replied that

248 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

he believed it was in 1864, when he gave an exhibition on the old
Campbell lot. " I have been all around here since, but haven't
touched Chillicothe or Circleville, which used to be a nice little
town. I travelled by canal then, and had my one-horse show.
There were only two asistants in my business then. One was
Jim O'Connell, the tattooed man, and the very best performer
in his way I ever saw. The other was Jean Johnson, who did
song and dance and negro business. Johnson is now in Cincin
nati, a broken-down wreck. Poor O'Connell is under the daisies.
He used to do an egg dance and other surprising feats, and got
off a thrilling account of his adventures in the Fiji Islands,
where he pretended to have been tattooed. His last request was
unique, and in accordance with it, after he was committed to the
earth, my band played a lively tune, and Johnson danced a horn
pipe over his grave. These two boys, with the band, myself as
clown, with songs and introduction of the horse, made up a better
show, I believe, and gave more genuine entertainment, than a
great many of the more pretentious ones nowadays." " The
war had a rather depressing effect upon the business, did it not? "
queried the reporter. " Bless you, no; why we fattened on our
country's calamities. The greenbacks were plentiful then, and
I made more money than I ever did before in my life. John
Morgan ruined several circuses, and caught me out in Indiana,
getting away with eight of my horses. I knew him and went
straight to his quarters and told my doleful tale. He immedi
ately wrote out an order and sent a man with me to redeem my
property. ' You see, Dan/ he explained, ' the boys were out
foraging, and they are no respecters of persons/ He was a gal
lant fellow. That was the only difficulty of that kind that I ever
encountered, and you see I got out of that very nicely." In re
sponse to another question, Uncle Dan said: "I have been a
clown over forty-one years, and I propose to remain in the harness
until the last. I am organizing now in Cincinnati, and preparing
to start out upon the road again next season. These lectures
that I deliver are a little side play, I can't abide idleness, and
must be doing something. I would die if I could not be em
ployed at some kind of work. The political excitement is too
strong now to make any kind of an exhibition profitable. I am
an old-time Whig and am not greatly interested which way the
tide turns; I believe in country above all parties. I shall return
to Chillicothe and deliver a lecture which will be a continuation
of the one given to-night. The theme is endless and boundless,
and the beauty of it is that you can talk about anything. — " The
Daily News," Chillicothe, 0., November 10, 1884.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 249

TRIBUTES.
DAN RICE, CLOWN, DEAD.

HIS DEATH AT LONG BRANCH DUE TO BRIGHT^S DISEASE —
CAREER OF THE FAMOUS RING JOKER WHO BEGAN LIFE
AS A STABLE BOY AND MADE AND LOST THREE FOR
TUNES— HIS EDUCATION IN SHAKESPEARE — HIS NAME

WAS MCLAREN.

LONG BRANCH, X. J., Feb. 22. — Dan Rice, the veteran clown,
died to-night at seven o'clock after a lingering illness. He was
seventy-seven years old. Mr. Rice suffered from Bright's dis
ease and dropsy, but he had been able to go out for a drive until
a week ago, when he took to his bed. At the time of his last
illness he was writing a book on his life. He had about com
pleted the closing chapter.

Dan Rice's real name was Daniel McLaren. He was born in
Xew York City. His father, Daniel McLaren, nicknamed the
boy Dan Rice, after a famous clown in Ireland. After his
father's death his mother married a man named Manahan, who
had a dairy near Freehold, Monmouth County, N". J., and Dan,
when a small boy, delivered milk to his stepfather's customers.
His sister Elizabeth married Jacob Showles, a circus rider, who
•resides at Long Branch, N. J. Dan, weary of the milk route,
struck out for himself when young and made his way to Pitts-
burg, where he was successively stable-boy, race-rider, and hack
driver. After a little time, under the name of Dan Rice, he
achieved prominence, if not exactly fame, as the owner and ex
hibitor of a learned pig, with which he and a man named Lindsay
travelled through Pennsylvania and neighboring States. Rice
and Lindsay sang songs and danced, but-the pig was the principal
attraction.

Old friends of Dan relate that the death of the star performer
broke up the show and he drifted out to Naucoo, 111., where the
Mormons then were under Joseph Smith's leadership, and re
mained with them for a time. He returned to Pittsburg and
went to hack driving again. He married there his first wife,
and came to New York in 1844, making here his first appearance
as a clown and negro song and dance performer with Dr. Spauld-
ing's company in the Old Bowery Amphitheatre, then under the
management of John Tryon. In the company with him at that
time were Barney Williams, Dan Emmett, Dan Gardner, Frank
W. Whittaker and others whose names have since attained wide
celebrity on the stage and in the ring.

250 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

In the season of 1845 Dan travelled with Seth B. Howe's
Circus. Seth B. Howe was a brother of Nathan Howe, one of
the old " flat-foot combination/'' which started the famous
Zoological Institute at 37 Bowery. He billed and advertised
Dan Rice more extensively than any clown ever was advertised
before in this country. One of his advertising dodges was to
supply Dan with a special carriage and horses to take him
through the country. In the winter of 1845-40 Dan made his
first appearance in Philadelphia in Gen. Rufus Welch's National
Amphitheatre, which was then at the corner of Ninth and Chest
nut Streets, on the site now occupied by the Continental Hotel.
At that time he was simply a good " rough knock-about clown/'
in the phraseology of the ring, not quick to catch points on the
audience from the ringmaster, and innocent of any knowledge
of Shakespeare. He tried successively Nicholas Johnson and
Ben Young, both actors, and Horace Nichols and somebody else,
in the capacity of ringmaster, yet could not make a hit with
either. Finally he got Frank \\. Whittaker, who was at the time
master of the ring for other clowns in the same show, assigned to
him, and on his first night made a hit, on business suggested
by Whittaker, which carried him into instant popularity with
Philadelphia audiences.

That hit cost Sandy Jamieson, leader of the orchestra, a new
violin, for the part of the funny business consisted in Dan's
tumbling Frank headlong among the orchestra.

During the summer of 184:0 Rice was a clown with \Yelch's
travelling show in Canada, and in the succeeding year he went to
Newr Orleans, with his first manager, Dr. Spaulding. At this
time, it is said, Mr. Van Orden, a brother-in-law of Dr. Spauld
ing, took a liking to Dan and urged him to much-needed mental
improvement, supplying him with Shakespeare, Byron, and other
dramatic and poetic works, aiding him in making from them the
selections on which he subsequently became known as a " Shakes
pearean clown," and encouraging him in study, not only for his
professional purposes but for the acquisition of general knowl
edge. Mr. Van Orden also wrote a number of Rice's most popu
lar songs. After a season or two Rice obtained an interest with
Dr. Spaulding and that connection was kept up until about 1850,
when they separated. In 1853, in consequence of some legal
proceedings institued by Spaulding for recovery of payment for
a show with which he had fitted Rice out a couple of years before,
Rice lost a handsome farm which he had acquired in Columbia
County, N. Y. Shortly after that Dan bought a homestead in
Girard, Pa., and a fine farm two or three miles from that town,
where he sheltered his show in the winter.

By 1850 he had so far recovered from the disaster which fol-

BEMIXISCENCES OF DAN RICE 251

lowed the severance of his connection with Spaulding that he
was deemed a wealthy man and certainly was a popular one
wherever he travelled. For he was a genial, whole-souled fellow,
kind and generous, seeming to think nothing of riches more than
as a means to promote the happiness of all around him. Fortune
smiled upon him steadily up to 1800, when there was a separation
between him and his wife. Old snowmen said: " Dan lost his
luck when he parted from her."

She was spoken of as a noble woman, who by gentle methods
supplied Dan with the guidance which he needed. She had
never been a professional before her marriage, but he taught her
a " manege act," which she continued to do up to the time of
their separation. Her daughter Elizabeth became the wife of
Charles Reed, a celebrated pad rider. The daughter Catherine
married and lived in Girard, Pa., with her mother. Soon after
her divorce, Mrs. Rice married Charles Warren, Rice's treasurer,
who had acted as agent between husband and wife in the negotia
tions preceding the divorce, and the couple rejoined the show,
he proposing to continue to act as treasurer and she to continue
her riding, but after a short time both places were vacant.

In the early part of I860 Rice's show journeyed by wagons
from the East to St. Louis, where a steamboat was bought for the
transportation of the company through the rivers and bayous
of the South. It is related that at about that time Charles Reed
and Julian Kent were apprentices with Dan Rice and he required
them under all circumstances on Sunday to read to him from one
to three chapters of the Bible, an eccentricity akin to that which
prompted him to build meeting-houses for the colored people
down South. He is said to have built half a dozen meeting
houses. From I860 to 1862 he was in the South. The story
got afloat in the Xorth that Dan had bloomed out as a rampant
rebel, and when he appeared in the Walnut Street Theatre, Phila
delphia, in the winter of 1862-63, he met with a very hostile
reception.

When the supposed rebel appeared in the ring there was a
crowded house to greet him with a tornado of hisses, groans, yells
of "secessionist," " Johnny Reb," and suggestions that he should
be shot or hanged. Fortunately for himself he had the courage
to stand up in the ring and face his accusers until they were
weary of shouting. Then he told them that he was and always
had been a Union man, that his home and interests were North
ern, but that he could not get out of the Confederacy sooner or
otherwise than he did, and that he had done nothing that he
deemed deserved any apology. His manliness, even more than
his words, won for him new consideration, but though there was
no longer any idea of mobbing him, enough doubt was left in

252 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

many minds to cast a shadow over his popularity. In 18G3 hl.s
show, after a disastrous season, went to pieces and most of it was
sold for debt. Out of the wreck he saved his famous trick horse
Excelsior and his pair of trained Burmese cattle. He was the
first man who ever trained and introduced in the ring a perform
ing rhinoceros. In 18(>i a contract for two seasons was made
with Forepaugh, by which Eice received for his services as a
clown and for the services of his trained horse and cattle $35,000
for each season. In I860 he got $1,000 per week through the
season as clown with John O'Brien, and for a season of twenty-
six weeks in 1867 he received $21,500 from Gardner, Hemmings
& Cooper's Circus.

From that time on his star seemed to be steadily waning. His
property at Girard was swept away by the foreclosure of a mort
gage. He had married again. His second wife, the daughter of
a banker in Girard, owned a considerable amount of property in
her own right, but Eice was ruined. Disappointment seemed
to embitter him and his habits grew worse, but he kept in the
ring as clown each season with young circus men. In 1881 he
was out with Will Stow, under the firm name of Rice & Stow,
but the partnership was dissolved by his enforced retirement
before the close of the season. Some years ago he struck an oil
well on his wife's property in Girard, put up a derrick, set a drill
at work, organized a stock company and sold stock to Avery
Smith, Seth B. Howe, and J. J. Nathans and other " old-timers "
of the circus business, but it was soon ascertained that there was
not a pint of petroleum within a hundred miles of the well.

In 1878 Dan Eice reformed in St. Louis, and afterward de
livered temperance lectures, occasionally slipping back into old
paths. Forepaugh once said that he would let Dan Eice fix his
own terms for a season in California if he would engage to keep
sober the season through, but the offer was refused. In 1879
Nathans, June & Bailey telegraphed to Dan, in Girard, that they
would pay him his own price as a clown for four weeks in this
city, if he would permit his salary to stand until the conclusion
of his engagement as a bond for his sobriety. He refused the
offer, saying that he would rather have a hundred dollars a week
and liberty to do as he pleased than any terms on such conditions.

In Girard at one time he ran a newspaper called the " Cosmo
polite." He sought election to Congress in 1879 from that dis
trict, but failed to get it. When wealthy he gave away great
sums of money to public institutions in that part of the country,
and still more, it is said, in private charities. He built a sol
diers' monument said to have cost $35,000. Yet, as an old show
man and friend of his said, there were long years in which Eice
could not borrow five dollars in Girard if he wanted it.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 253

During the war General Fremont seized a steamer Rice owned,
the " James Raymond," at St. Louis, and made use of it for Gov
ernment purposes. Rice applied to the Government for com
pensation and $33,000 damages was awarded him. At his re
quest this money was spent by President Lincoln and Secretary
Stanton caring for wounded soldiers and their families.

Dan Rice made three fortunes, but died a comparatively poor
man. He married three times. His third wife survives him.
She lives in Texas. — " Xew York Sun."

REMINISCENCES.

PERSONAL — WITTY — HUMOROUS — GRAVE AND GAY — LIVELY
AND SEVERE — JOKES — JESTS — ANECDOTES — SATIRES —
SONGS — SPEECHES ETC.

DAX RICE, THE HUMORIST.

There are reforms in everything mundane. Reforms are the
first great causes of revolutions, they have been the pioneers in
the marches of improvement, they have founded new faiths, es
tablished liberal governments, peopled new countries, crushed
out feudal systems in the old world, and destroyed illiberal preju
dices in the new. Reforms are antagonistical to the old fogyism,
they are the beacon lights of the " good times coming."

In the latter sixties liberal teachers, a cheap press, and com
mon schools were not, as to-day, indispensable aids to our exist
ence. Then good common sense alone actuated every thinking
man to coolly examine each object presented either for public
benefit or enjoyment. What was then an intellectual feast de
generated later into a saturnalia of sensual gratifications. Whilst
the dark veil of proscription once thrown around the charmed
circle of the circus arena had not been entirely dispelled by the
light of liberality, and public amusements regarded as they are
to-day necessary institutions, affording a healthy relaxation for
the masses, yet withal a Puritanic spirit of intolerance made it
self felt to such an extent that for many years a bitter war was
waged against the vulgar circus of early days, which sought alone
to gratify a coarse mind at the expense of the intellectual. Colo
nel Rice at first resented the seemingly bigoted and unjust criti
cism of the circus world, as a whole, and for a while bore the
brunt of a. battle which involved him in an interminable tangle of
criminations and recriminations. Later Uncle Dan saw a new
light, and, guided by its inspiration, became an ally of the pulpit
and the press. As a result, reform in circus methods was actively

25rt REMIXISCEXCES OF DAN RICE

urged. Colonel Rice's efforts were crowned with success. He
soon drew an air of refinement around the arena, that in the days
of the Olympiad was so purely classical., and made it here a place
where the elite, the profound, the philosopher, the naturalist, and
the admirer of physical beauty, could resort to for amusement,
reflection, and instruction. He restored to the people the gains
of the curriculum, the beauties of chivalry, the taming of wild
beasts as in the days of ancient Koine, all in all, revolutionized
the stale and salacious forms of amusement so prevalent in the
past. The thousands of well-educated, intelligent people, who
in every section of the country, liberally sustained both the per
manent and transitory exhibitions, quickly evinced by their lib
eral patronage Colonel Rice's laudatory efforts to cleanse the
Augean stables. Questionable by-play, indecent gestures, and
suggestive jests were no longer tolerated, their places being
usurped by rollicking but refined humor, repartee, pungent but
stingless satires and true wit, supplemented by a spectacular
splendor which had hitherto never been equalled and certainly
never surpassed. Xo man, therefore, did, between I860 and
1870, more to bring about this salutary reaction than Dan Rice.
He made the arena a place of classic resort. The grovelling
babbler in spotted dress, and the low buffoon were quickly driven
from the ring, so there is little occasion or wonder why he then
stood out so proudly and wron such world-wide fame as the most
original humorist of his day.

Dan Rice had a genius for fun. His humors were adapted to
the times, his hits local, his satire telling, his wit pointed, his
jokes harmless, and his conversational powers unlimited. As the
man who tells a good story at the festive board is indispensable
at a goodly gathering, so is the presence of the King of Jesters
absolutely required in a Great Show. He was as the central
figure of the tan-bark circle, the man wrhom, above all, the people
most admired. With an enviable reputation for integrity of
character, and a universal fame as the most amusing man of mod
ern times, his name was a tower of strength. Amongst the upper
circles of the metropolitan cities, in the villages, towns, and ham
lets of all this broad domain, Dan Rice wa» the magnet of attrac
tion. Individually he had more personal friends and supporters
than any artist of his times.

It seems that sovereignties are never complete without a clown
in motley. Every court has had its fool and each king its jester
with cap and bells, the fool usually possessing more wit than his
master. As it was in ancient times, so it is in these modern days.
The sovereign people right royally crowned Dan Rice their
peerless Prince of Jesters. This renowned professor in the Court
of Momus has been before the public for fifty years. His songs,

REMINISCENCES OF DAN 1UCE 255

jokes, and drolleries were always free from the vulgarity which
usually characterizes the sayings of the ring and wholly devoid of
anything which could oft'end the most fastidious. Indeed Dan
Rice stood alone in the profession he adopted and which he has
raised far above what it formerly was. His versatility of talent
was remarkable, and his occasional flashes of genius astonished
even those who were most intimately acquainted with him. As
the fancy took him he changed from gay to grave, from the lu
dicrous to the sublime, from the most pathetic portrayal to the
most pungent, piercing satire with a marvellous rapidity that
stamped him as a genius and the premier artist of his generation.

AXCIENT AND MODERN QUIDDITIES.

The art of making anecdotes, jokes, puns, and other witticisms
is of much greater importance than many people are apt to
imagine. In certain dull seasons of torpid repose, when wars are
vexatiously rare, and murders seldom occur, and highway robber
ies are scarcely known, and conflagrations, tornadoes, earth
quakes, freshets, breaches of marriage contract and Dakota di
vorce mills are not working overtime to occasionally relieve the
universal drowsiness,, the exercise of this art is most especially
requisite.

The ancients, when tired of recording marvellous things for
the purpose of exciting astonishment, wisely sought to refresh
the world with jokes, quips, and quiddities. Merriment was the
sauce, the catsup, that made more palative the more solid viands.
Relaxation was found to be of infinite service, it contributed to
keep people properly in countenance, for after a long stretch of
the muscles over the miraculously tough tales of Pliny, Livy,
Plutarch and other wonder-mongers, men's phizes were discov
ered to be most alarmingly lengthened insomuch that chins
dropped into waistbands, nether lips were in danger of being
trodden upon. Whereupon I, Mr. Rice, and other fun-giving
wags, sought to apply remedies in the form of fable and epigram,
divers laughter disposing cranks, reflecting like characters or
charms upon the fearful rigidity and longitudity of aspect, and
brought back the distant faces of all that were curable to their
natural expansion of feature. Mouths that form a continual
application of the terrific and amazing had acquired a monstrous
prominence towards the centre of gravity, were observed to cor
rugate into a pleasant horizontal, sometimes even turning up at
the corners, into a curve from ear to ear; eyes upon whose pro
tuberant spheres one might have traced the heavens and the earth
as it were, upon globes celestial and terrestrial, sank comfortably
into their sockets, guarded and encompassed by the crowfoot of

256 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

gayety. Thus b}r making a judicious average of horror and mer
riment the " human face divine " was preserved in due shape,
the visage of man, like a washed stocking, being useless when
pulled to its utmost length.

Three-fourths of the bon-mots, witty sayings, and tart repar
tees with which the world has been diverted since the days of
Nebuchanezzar, are fabulous ones made out of whole cloth that
contains less warp than filling, without foundation, consistency,
or plausibility.

An honest, an authentice history of the origin of all genuine
articles of this sort, and a biography of the inventors of such
as were manufactured for sport, would be highly amusing at this
present juncture. Indeed a work of such nature is much needed.
It might throw such light on the art of making fun, which, to
certain hard-driven wit-snappers, would be of exceedingly great
value.

COLONEL EICE TELLS OF EARLY DAYS OF THE

CIRCUS.

THE VETERAN SHOWMAN TELLS OF THE FAKE SPANISH MAN
OF IRON — HIS CANNON BALLS TURNED OUT TO BE IN
FLATED RUBBER — THE GREAT HOODED PYTHON OF THE
AMAZON AND OTHER FAKES TO FOOL THE UNSUSPECTING
PUBLIC.

DAN ATTRIBUTES His EARLY SUCCESS TO A RED-HEADED

GIRL.

There are tricks in all trades, and I suppose the circus business
is included in the category. In all my career I guarded against
impostures and fraud of all kinds, well knowing that I had a
reputation to maintain, but in spite of all my strenuous efforts,
my agents would occasionally trick me, and succeed in cleverly
humbugging the American public, which, as all showmen know,
loves to be humbugged. One incident of the kind in particular
occurs to my mind.

It was while playing in the Eastern States in the early '50's,
that I picked up Bill Turner, who, I am safe in saying, was the
shrewdest showman I ever saw, but he was unscrupulous. Bill
was a likely looking young Yankee, smart and active, and quickly
arose from one position to another until he became assistant man
ager of my circus. At Newburyport, Mass., Signor Gustivo, the
Italian Samson, otherwise Bill Smith, of Bennett's Mills, N. J.,

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 257

\vlio had been astonishing circus-goers by his prodigious feats of
strength., got angry at something and deserted the show.

That put me in a serious predicament, for he had been widely
advertised, and I had no one to take his place. It was at that
juncture that Bill Turner appeared and sought an interview with
me at my hotel, which ended in my engaging at $100 a week,
Don Sebastian, the Spanish man of iron, whose specialty was
toying with large cannon balls.

Turner was engaged at moderate salary as attendant upon Don
Sebastian, who was as bright a looking Irishman as I ever saw.
The engagement began at an afternoon performance, when it
took four men to carry Sebastian's chest, containing four cannon
balls, into the ring. The ringmaster announced the performance
of a few feats of strength and endurance by the strongest man
in the world, who handled cannon balls of two hundred pounds
weight as easily as a lady would handle balls of yarn. Sebastian
picked up the balls from the chest and laid them with a deep,
dull thud on the platform. Then he placed a ball on each shoul
der, where he balanced it, while he lightly tossed a third to the
top of the tent and gracefully caught it in its descent. The audi
ence went wild over his performance, and manifested their en
thusiastic appreciation in a tremendous outburst of applause as
he ran lightly from the ring. I was more than satisfied with his
success.

Don Sebastian proved to be one of the strong drawing cards
of my circus for several weeks, when, to my surprise, I one day
noticed that when he laid the balls upon the platform the sound
of their fall did not ring out until a suspiciously long time after
wards. I at once realized that there was some fraud concealed in
the strong man's performance; therefore the unrivalled reputa
tion of my circus was at stake, and so at once quietly began an
investigation, with the result that the Spanish Iron man was sat
isfactorily proven to be a rank fraud.

The cannon balls proved to be made of rubber and were in
flated with air like footballs. The dull, deep thud which re
sounded when the balls touched the platform was made with a
heavy hammer in the hands of an accomplice behind the curtain.
I felt outraged at the deception and sorry for the duped public,
and hauled Turner vigorously over the coals, while Don Sebas
tian was reduced in rank and made a candy butcher.

Had I known that Turner was a party to the deception, I would
have immediately discharged him. In view of subsequent events
I concluded that Turner was the leader in the iron-man fraud.
Upon entering a Kentucky town, after a few days' absence from
the show, I found one of our most extensively advertised attrac
tions to be the " Great Hooded Python of the Amazon, 38 feet
17

258 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

in length. The only specimen in captivity." It was further
represented that so powerful and venomous was this reptile, it
was necessary to keep the monster constantly under the influence
of opiates. Upon entering the circus I found a great crowd of
people viewing the python, which was coiled in apparently deep
slumber in a glass-enclosed cage. It was a great loathsome rep
tile, eight inches through. Turner satisfactorily accounted for
its presence, and it drew crowds until I accidentally discovered
that it was cleverly made of linsey woolsey and stuffed with saw
dust.

In calmly looking back over the years I can plainly see that
Bill Turner lacked conscientious scruples. There was the in
ebriate bear, for instance. That was his contrivance. It was
somewhere in the South that such a creature was exhibited and
lavishly advertised as " A great animated temperence lecture,
approved by pulpit and press." I saw the attraction. It was a
black bear that at every performance waddled into the ring and
drank copiously from a large bottle of cheap whiskey until thor
oughly intoxicated, when it would ludicrously stagger back to its
cage. One day I was horrified to hear the drunken bear burst
out with a torrent of profanity, which was followed by the
maudlin singing of " Landlord, Fill the Flowing Bowl," while
the disgusting creature was led to a cage behind the curtain. I
humbly apologized to the audience and said that there was no
accounting for the work of whiskey.

Without delay I went behind the curtain, stripped the bear
skin from the insulting drunkard, and gave Fen Dole, a canvas-
man, the worst licking of his life for his part in the most out
rageous fraud ever perpetrated upon an unsuspecting and gulli
ble public. And the matter didn't end there, for the newspapers
got hold of the affair and vigorously denounced me, and that was
the first stain ever cast upon my character as a moral showman.

I subsequently discharged him. He wandered to the West
and became a missionary or something or other among the
Indians. It took me some time to recover from the ill-effects
of the inebriate bear episode, which was one of the best-paying
attractions I ever had on the road. It was a pity that to me was
attached the blame of foxy Bill Turner's imposture. But I got
a lot of free advertising from it, whether profitable or un
profitable.

You may not know it, but there are hoodoos in the circus busi
ness as well as in other lines of trade. The only difficulty is to
be able to know what the hoodoo is and get rid of it. I remem
ber once old John Robinson's circus constantly lost money on the
Central States circuit, where two seasons before it had made an
unusually successful tour. Old man John couldn't understand

REMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE 259

it, but finally concluded that it could not be among the mem
bers of his staff, neither was it one of the performers, for every
one on that side of the circus had been with him the season
before, which was one of unequalled prosperity. In perplexity
he began to reorganize the other parts of his concern, and new-
hands were discharged by the wholesale. At last he discovered
the hoodoo. It was a side-show lecturer, who always wore an
alarmingly red necktie. As soon as the lecturer was discharged
the circus prospered.

Phineas T. Barnum one season had a hoodoo that stayed with
him until his employer was well-nigh ruined before he was dis
covered and discharged. In that instance the Jonah was a very
clever plate-spinner. The trouble with the hoodoo is that he
does not imagine the ill-effects of his mere presence in the circus.
Adam Forepaugh's worst hoodoo was a cross-eyed candy butcher,
and his great circus had very bad luck until the vender of sweet
meats was discharged. John O'Brien's hoodoo was a sweet-faced,
soft-spoken lady performer, who brought him mighty bad luck
until he released her. Old Van Amburg made barrels of money
and prospered travelling through the country with Scriptural
mottoes painted upon his wagons, but all that changed as soon as
he employed a peg-legged colored cook. His ticket-wagon re
ceipts at once fell off amazingly, there was bad luck in the ring,
constant desertions from his company, and several valuable ani
mals died.

I am perfectly familiar with the history of the noted death-
dealing elephant Romeo, who killed three keepers before being
brought to this country, where he succeeded in killing four more.
Eomeo was never anything else than a money-maker and a devil
on four legs. In his day he was the greatest drawing card a
circus or travelling menagerie could possibly have. Why, the
first clergyman I ever saw visit a circus went solely for the pur
pose of seeing the notorious man-slayer. Nearly every circus '
proprietor in the country was eager to get possession of that ele
phant and anxiously endeavored to buy him, for his value as an
advertisement was something enormous. I opened my dicker for
him at $25,000, but others raised it until the animal was finally
sold for $47,500.

Now, a red-headed girl or lady in the company is always said
to bring luck to the circus. Call it auburn hair, if you prefer,
but the redder her hair, especially if she be a performer, the bet
ter the luck the little lurid locks will bring. I have had them
more than once in my circus, and so know whereof I speak. I
recall one in particular, Mile. Germaine de Greville, otherwise
Eliza Butcher, of Ohio. When she joined my company, business
at once began to boom and continued to boom throughout the

260 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

several seasons she was in my employ. I presented her with a
magnificent, well-trained white horse, and her hair was so dan
gerously red that, when performing upon her snowy charger, she
looked like a rocket flashing around the ring. My success while
she was with my circus was really wonderful and mystified the
most experienced circus proprietors of the country. I knew one
of the secrets of that success, but kept silent.

Eliza knew that she was appreciated by her employer, and,
upon completing her turn in the ring, was often presented with
a magnificent bouquet of flowers. But, despite my thoughtful-
ness, I at last lost little 'Lize. She went and got married, and
to the homeliest man that ever drew breath. When her boy twins
were born she split my name in two and gave each one half.

KICE ON LAUGHTER.

A hearty laugh is a catholicon. After all, what a capital,
kindly, honest, jolly, glorious thing a good laugh is! It's an anti-
dyspeptic; it stirs up the slumbering fires of our nature, caused
by ennui, excites our risibilities, and puts us in better humor
with ourselves and the rest of mankind. What a tonic! What
a digestor! What a febrifuge! What an enemy of evil spirits!
Better than a walk before breakfast, or a nap after dinner. How
it shuts the mouth of malice and opens the brow of kindness.
Whether it discovers the gums of infancy or age, or grinders of
folly, or the pearls of beauty. Whether it racks the sides and
deforms the countenance of vulgarit}r, or dims the visage, or
moistens the eye of refinement — in all phases and in all faces,
contorting, relapsing, overwhelming, convulsing, the human
form into the happy, shaking quaking of idiocy, and turning the
human countenance into something appropriate to Billy Buttons'
transformation. Under every circumstance, and, everywhere, a
laugh is a glorious thing. Like a thing of beauty, it is a joy
forever. There is no remorse in it. It leaves no sting, except
in the sides, and that goes off. Even a single, unparticipated
laugh is a great thing to witness. But it is seldom, single. It is
more infectious than scarlet fever. You cannot gravely con
template a laugh. If there is one witness, there is, forthwith,
two laughters, and so on. The convulsion is propagated like
sound. What a thing it is when becoming epidemic:

For your long-faced grumblers
With me are no go;

They give you cold comfort,
And none of their dough.

For my part, and I say it in all solemnity, I have become sin
cerely suspicious of the piety of those who do not love pleasure

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

in any form. I cannot trust the man who never laughs, who is
always sedate, who has no apparent outlets for springs of sport-
iveness that are perennial to the human soul.

ADVERTISING AS AN ART.

Since Barnum's death many good stories have been told of his
methods in advertising his show, but Dan Eice has, in his day,
been the originator of many clever tricks that not only increased
his fame, but his fortune as well.

His first experience in the circus line was with a trained pig,
which he purchased from one Osborn, of Cazenovia, this State,
with the proceeds of the sale of his share of a livery stable at
Ferry and Front Streets, New York, which he partly owned at
the time. The animal would tell a person's age with cards and
nod its head in a manner that indicated yes or no when questions
were put to it. It proved a profitable investment and brought
big money to its owner wherever exhibited. At Greensburg, Pa.,
both pig and owner made a decided hit. Shortly before they ap
peared in that place fire visited the barn of a Dutch farmer named
Jack. The farmer suspected an employe of firing the barn. He
heard of the wonderful intelligence of the pig and was induced
to visit it. Eice knew of Jack's suspicion as well as his coming.
When, after the pig had amazed everybody by its clever per
formance, Jack inquired if the animal could tell who burned his
barn. Eice answered in confident tones and with apparent seri
ousness that it could, and he started to describe the supposed
incendiary to the pig, asking frequently in the meantime if the
person described was the incendiary. The pig always gave an
affirmative nod to this particular question. The farmer was at
a loss to understand it all and openly declared the educated
porker to be possessed of an evil spirit when it led him, through
the affirmative bobbing of its head, to believe that the suspect's
age and habits were also known to it.

Jack swore vengeance and lost no time in procuring a warrant
for the arrest of his former workman. The judge had, in the
meantime, been posted and he summoned Eice and his pig as
witnesses to testify against the prisoner. The court room was
packed with a curious crowd of country people, who looked on
with awe. The court attaches knew of the joke that was being
perpetrated, the victim of which was sentenced to thirty days'
imprisonment on the alleged testimony of the pig. This proved
a clever and inexpensive advertising dodge, as the newspapers
took the matter up, and both pig and owner attained a national
prominence that resulted in bringing thousands of persons to
see both.

262 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Once the old showman got into a tight corner all on account
of an elephant which he had been teaching to stand on its head
and the failure of his under-trainer to obey his instructions. The
elephant was a young one and the first to perform this trick.
One day Rice was called away suddenly on business while the
show was at Elliottsville, N. Y. The whole country round had
been literally covered with posters illustrating the elephant
standing on its head. Upon his arrival he was horrified to find
that the elephant had not been receiving its lessons regularly.
His instructions had not been carried out and the elephant had
forgotten all about the trick. When the time for the perform
ance arrived no explanation would satisfy the audience and Rice
was arrested. He tried to make the court believe that a mistake
had been made by his men in posting the bills upside down, but
that story would not be accepted. He then took another tack,
and after giving his assurance that the natural modesty of the
beast, which was a female, was the only thing that led it to de
cline to perform the trick except under cover of darkness, he
was discharged.

A CURIOUS COINCIDENCE.

The city of New Orleans has always been held in high regard
by Colonel Rice, for many of his most interesting professional
seasons have been spent among its people, who ever extended a
liberal patronage. A strange coincidence connected with his ca
reer found its creation in the Crescent City, and its romantic
ending took place in the Lone Star State. In bestowing his
munificence the Colonel was always liberal, and on the occasion
in question, in 1852, he presented one of the fire companies with
a new engine. In their appreciation for this recognition, the
firemen formed a committee, and gave the Colonel an elegant
watch, which he cherished on account of the source from which
it emanated. He had possessed it but a short time when, in some
mysterious way, it disappeared and no trace of it could be found.
A private detective failed in his efforts to locate it, and after a
time, as no advertising brought it to light, the watch was given
up as lost. While on his lecture tour in 1886, Colonel Rice
drifted into Texas, and gave one of his inimitable lectures at
the town of Ennis. During his visit of several days in that place,
he met many old-time friends, and was informed by one of them
that his watch had been seen at a jeweller's establishment in the
city. With his curiosity aroused as to the now ancient timepiece,
he proved its identity, but had much difficulty in obtaining it, as
legal proceedings had to be enforced to secure the keepsake. Its
value to the Colonel was merely based upon the associations con-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 263

nected with it and the long years that had elapsed since it was
stolen. With his old treasure recovered, he returned to the city
of Marlin, where he had previously lectured, and, in relating the
circumstance to friends, was astonished to discover that the old
engine which he had presented to New Orleans so long ago, was
then in possession of the Marlin Engine Co. No. 1. The engine
being the same for which he had received the donation of the
token he had so recently recovered. By just such curious coin
cidences, Colonel Rice has been able to trace everything of value
that has been surreptitiously taken from him, but his proverbial
charity prevents him from exposing the shortcomings of frail
humanity.

A TALE OF Two CITIES.

To those who are well-acquainted with the personal traits of
Colonel Rice, it is an established fact that he had a great fondness
for children, and he has been known to make sacrifices in their
behalf that have surprised even his most intimate friends. In
days gone by many little men and women have received gifts
from him of ponies, tiny gold rings, and other trinkets that chil
dren prize so highly, and his great heart was satisfied if he could
but make them happy. This mania for the little folks often
placed him in ludicrous positions, from which he was often com
pelled to take refuge in flight, as the following instance, given in
his own words, will show. Colonel Rice was giving an enter
tainment in one of the opera houses in Waco, Tex., and in the
course of his remarks, something occurred to remind him of an
experience in Galveston, and he applied it in the following man
ner: " In speaking of children," said the Colonel, " when I was
in Galveston a few weeks ago, I displayed my proverbial weakness
for children, by presenting a pair of new-born twins each with a
ten-dollar-bill. The fact became known, and it wasn't a week
before several baby carriages containing twins had been wheeled
in my presence. My money soon gave out, and as there seemed
to be no end to the Galveston twins, I made a bee line for
Houston where they don't have twins."

AN EXPERIENCE WITH TRAIN ROBBERS.

It was while on a business trip to Omaha that Colonel Rice
had his experience with the James gang in their first train
robbery. The incident occurred July 20, 1873, on the Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific train, which was eastward bound, and
fifteen miles from Council Bluffs, la. Colonel Rice occupied the
first seat in the front end of a car, when, without any previous
warning, four masked men entered, two of whom took their

264: REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

stations of guard at each entrance. Simultaneously with their
appearance they covered the terrified passengers with their fire
arms and called out " Hands up." In an instant every person
had complied with the command, and turning his head to look
at his fellow-passengers, Colonel Eice exclaimed in a loud voice,
" The first time Dan Eice, the circus clown, ever held up his
hands except when over a game of poker." As the desperadoes
proceeded through the car, they rifled the passengers of their
money and other valuables which they deposited in bags which
they carried. When they reached the Colonel's end of the car,
they left him unmolested, and as they were in the act of leaving,
one of the men addressed him with u How are you, Uncle Dan;
I'm one of the boys you used to pass into your circus." The
identity of the speaker remained a mystery until a few years ago
when Colonel Eice, while on a lecture tour, met Frank James at
Huntsville, Ala., to which place he had been remanded for trial,
accompanied by a large number of friends and relatives. On
being introduced to James, Colonel Eice was favorably impressed
with his agreeable address and manner and the conversation
turned upon different topics that were very interesting. James
remarked that he had known the Colonel from childhood and
that he was one of the boys that used to secure admittance to the
circus without paying for it, a privilege that always pleased the
barefooted youngsters. In touching upon the experience of the
train robbery, he admitted to Colonel Eice that his brother had
related the incident to him, and also that it was Jesse who made
the remark, " How are you, Uncle Dan? " etc. It is more than
probable that Colonel Eice escaped much annoyance through the
remembrance of a kindness shown to Jesse James in his early
boyhood. And the jester has said that it always pays to remem
ber the barefoot boys and one never loses anything by being kind
to them, which he has had demonstrated in other instances than
the one above mentioned.

ON THE SUBJECT OF GRAIN ELEVATORS.

The following is too good to be lost. Something like it ap
peared in the " Knickerbocker " last fall, but the true state of
affairs having never been made public, we, from the most dis
interested motives, give them the benefit of our researches.

E. P. Jones, the best show editor and general writer I ever
met, had occasion to visit Cleveland, 0., in September, 18 — , just
before the State Fair commenced. His business was official, and
in less than three hours all the compositors in town were un
usually busy, and the demand for steam-presses was decidedly
active. Now Jones, who 'was a young man of most prepossessing

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 2G5

exterior,, and in suitable times and at proper seasons is a perfect
D'Orsay in apparel, did on this occasion give evident proof that
he had " travelled " some, and hadn't long waits to attend to his
wardrobe. There was in the " Forest City " one certain Fair
banks, a printer, a publisher of the " Herald,7' a first-rate paper.
By the way, Fairbanks, good-natured soul, finding that Jones
was worn down by the cares of his position, volunteered to " ride
him out " to the fair grounds, and witness the preparations for
the anticipated fete. Jones went it " in the rough," and when
he got upon the grounds was (through a mistake of Fairbanks,
of course) identified as one of the wealthy yeomen from Hamil
ton County. They wanted one man, a practical farmer, to serve
as one of the committee on agricultural implements> so poor
Jones, nolens volens, was enlisted; like a lamb for the sacrifice,
he was introduced to the various other committees in attendance
and decorated with two yards, more or less, of colored ribbons.
Now it so happened that u Native Wines " were objects of inter
est in the Buckeye State, and that, in all the fairs, manufacturers
of the aforesaid article competed for prizes — like skilful physi
cians they never swallow their own drugs — per consequence, a
little whiskey was always around for private comfort and con
solation.

The committee on " Native Wines " were men after Jones'
own heart; they were " his style," and he tasted their specimens
and compared the various domestic brands, until he began to feel
an utter indifference in regard to the period " when school
broke," and there is no knowing but what he would have drank
to excess, had not three members of his own committee suddenly
demanded his opinion as umpire in regard to the merits of several
grain elevators. Out Jones bolted, got the several owners to the
several machines to demonstrate their plans of operation, and
after he became satisfied with the performance, turned around
and said, " Gentlemen of the Committee, I am a man of few
words, understand me, of few words; the elevators we have all
seen are good, gentlemen, I may say d — n good, but when it
comes to be reduced to fine points, curse me, gentlemen, if the
1 greatest grain elevator in the world ain't Old Eye.' ': The
committee so reported, much to the horror of the temperance
folks, and the amusement of Jones, who had forgotten the cir
cumstance until he found it printed in the annual journal of pro
ceedings, a copy of which was sent him in due time by virtue of
his office.

NOT BAD.

A spark from a rough diamond ofttimes produces brilliant
effects. While in Washington, that city of infernal (Dickens was

266 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

wrong when he styled them magnificent) distances, Colonel Rice
endured a walk with Captain Sanford, a well-known and popu
lar manager of minstrel fame. In the course of their ramble
they had occasion to pass an imposing looking place of worship,
against one of the pillars of which leaned an individual who was
too genteel in appearance to be mistaken for a politician or even
a Congressman; as they approached., a smile of recognition over
spread his face, and coming towards the Colonel, exclaimed,
"Good morning, sir!" "How are you?" responded Colonel
Eice with his usual bland manner, " but — a — ah — excuse me, you
have the advantage of me."

"Well, if I have, I'm the first one ever got it," was the
rejoinder; " but you ought to know me — I'm Batters, Cully
Batters, the boys used to call me. Don't you remember, I drove
the property wagon for you."

" Oh, yes," said the Colonel. " But, Cully, what are you doing
here?" at the time eyeing the edifice with a peculiar look of
estrangement.

" Me? why I'm sexton of this crib! "

"Sexton!" exclaimed Colonel Eice, astonished, "why, what
on earth induced you to leave the ' show business ' and turn
sexton ? "

" Well," responded Batters, " you see, to quote the language of
the preacher, I thought it better to be a doorkeeper in the house
of the Lord than dwell in the tent of iniquity, and that hippo
drome of yours, old fellow, was the most consarned tent of in
iquity I ever did see — so I left."

AN INSTANCE OF UNPARALLELED IGNORANCE.

In the old palmy days before the war, Colonel Eice had a
staunch friend in Col. W. C. Preston, who owned a plantation
at Poverty Eidge, located a short distance from Louisville, Ky.
This gentleman's love of adventure led him to become the ad
vance agent of Colonel Eice's Circus, and in his admiration of
the popular jester, he bestowed the name of Dan Eice upon his
youngest child, to whom he was greatly attached. The regular
nurse who cared for the little one was taken seriously ill, and
Mrs. Preston was forced to call in an ignorant plantation girl to
discharge the nurse's duties. In previously doing errands about
the place, she often heard her mistress indulge in words of en
dearment to the babe, and one that seemed to impress the fancy
of the dusky maiden consisted of the expression " you are a dear
little angel." Being requested one day to take the little one
for an airing, she wandered some distance from the house, and
having seen Colonel's Eice's elaborate showbills, on which were

REMINISCENCES OF DAN PJCE 267

the figures of spirits adorned with wings, representing ethereal
subjects, the thought suddenly occurred to her that the baby,
which she had so often heard spoken of as an angel, could also
fly. Therefore, acting on the impulse, with all her strength she
threw the baby into the air, exclaiming, " Dah, yo deah little
angel, yo now fly/' The result can be easily imagined. It was
followed by the funeral of the little namesake of Colonel Eice.

Dr. Love is said to be the only real live American resident in
Alexandria. Love is bound up in the story of the Rose of
Jericho, however, in more ways than one. By it the wonderful
octogenarian De Lesseps met his present wife, a beautiful young
woman, who was one of the five blooming sisters in a Parisian
family the great engineer used to visit. He had been left, at
sixty-eight, a widower with a whole troop of sons and daughters.
He had a Jericho rose and carried it in his vest pocket one day
when he went to call on the five beauties. The prettiest of them,
who asked him in a charmingly ingenuous manner why he had
never married again, received the Resurrection flower as a gift.

When De Lesseps made his next visit the young girl ran out
to him with the wonderful rose. It was in full bloom. " See,"
said she, " what a miracle the water has effected. It is like the
blossoming of love in old age! "

The old man did not need more than one suggestion, innocent
though it was. He proposed, or rather finished the proposal,
and their nuptials were soon solemnized.

Webster defines the Rose of Jericho as " a plant growing on
the plain of Jericho — the anastation hierochuntina. It is evi
dently not the resurrection flower which has become familiarly
known of late by this romantic name.

CRAWLING UNDER THE CANVAS.

An incident that occurred years ago, when Uncle Dan was
showing in Kentucky, in which a prominent banker and Ken
tucky distiller figured, is related with a great deal of gusto, by
Colonel Rice. " I wasn't performing that year, but simply went
into the ring at the opening in citizen's clothes and made a little
speech. In the hotel in the morning I heard a couple of old men,
who were evidently wealthy and solid men, discussing the circus.
They had an itching to go and see the performance, but one of
them had a suspicion that I was not with the show, and he told
the other man so in such a loud voice that I sought an introduc
tion and convinced him that he was wrong. Then what did the
two old fellows do but ask me to let them crawl under the tent
as they had done when they were boys. Well, I humored them,

268 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

because I saw a way to get a joke on them and make the perform
ance lively. The tent was packed full when I took them down
to a place near the dressing-room, raised up the canvas a trifle,
and tucked them under in a hurry. The place where I put them
in was the space at the end of the reserved seats where the horses
and performers came into the ring. Half a dozen of the circus
employees saw and seized upon them at once, and there was a
great uproar, the entire audience standing up to see what was
going on, and laughing at the discomfiture of their solid fellow-
citizens. Meanwhile I came in and tipped the boys the wink,
and the old fellows went off and sat down in the meekest frame
of mind imaginable. When I came to make my speech I got the
whole audience in a roar by telling how I had played the joke
on them, and I will say that when they understood it, they
laughed as heartily as any one."

The late Congressman Dick, recently, in a reminiscent mood,
tells this story of an experience in Washington: " My father was
very fond of the circus, and was in Congress when Rice's Greatest
Show on Earth gave a day's performance at the capital. Father
didn't want to let on to us boys that he would go to the circus,
and I think that he was a little bit afraid to let his fellow-mem
bers in Congress know he would take it in, for he slipped away
quietly and went to the performance all alone. He took a seat
where he thought no one would see him, but when Uncle Dan
came in as the clown and began to make his speech, he alluded
to his Congressman, the distinguished General Dick, pointing
him out as he spoke, while as many as 200 Congressmen and Sen
ators who were present craned their necks to spy out father.
Father used to tell of it afterward, and laugh till the tears ran
down his cheeks, as he thought how the tables had been turned
on him by the old showman."

A SINGULAR FOURTH OF JULY MOVEMENT IN LOWELL,
IN 1856.

A GUN SPIKED.

It seems almost incredible to intelligent belief that in one of
the most popular centres of our great country the following inci
dent occurred on the occasion of celebrating our patriotic na
tional holiday, but such was indeed the case, as the following
statistics show, and the origin, emanating as it did from the
municipal authorities, made the fact more conspicuous than ordi
nary circumstances could possibly have done.

It is related that a resolution to appropriate $2,500 for a cele-

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 269

bration in Lowell, Mass., was killed by the Board of Aldermen,
although they voted to have the customary salute fired. The
Common Council, considering that if they could not have a big
celebration, they would not have any, killed the vote of the
Aldermen for the salute. Consequently Lowell was entirely un
provided by the City Fathers with any kind of a celebration.
Mr. Rice, whose "Great Show" was to be exhibited on the
Fourth, heard of this state of affairs, and telegraphed to the
Commander of the City Guards to fire the salute and he would
foot the bill. The offer of Mr. Rice, who was somewhat noted for
his oratorical pyrotechnics was generally understood at Lowell.
But when the detachment of the Guards went to get their gun in
order on the morning in question, they found that the piece had
been spiked. The vandals who did the malicious mischief went
deliberately to work to consummate this plot, for, it appears, they
cut a pane of glass out of a window of the gun-house, so that
the hand could reach in and remove the whole sash by taking off
the inside fastenings. After this work was done, the sash was
replaced and a new pane of glass nicely fitted in the place of the
one broken. The idea probably was that in taking the gun be
fore daylight, the spiking would not be noticed until the squad
was on the ground for action when it would then be too late to
remedy the matter. But the trick did not work. It was dis
covered and the piece was taken to the machine shop where a
new vent was speedily drilled so that, after all, the morning
salute of thirty-three guns was fired four minutes after one.
Commander Busbee of the City Guards showed great energy in
repairing the mischief so speedily.

The affair created a great deal of excitement in Lowell, and
Mr. Rice did not fail to enlarge upon it in his speeches in the ring
arena, bringing down the house at every allusion he made to it.

Assuming an attitude of dignity, the clown was lost sight of,
for Mr. Rice was all eloquence, and the following are as near his
remarks as can be condensed to give them to the readers:

" Another evolution of the wheels of time has brought around
the birthday of the Nation's Freedom, a day sacred to every lover
of his country and her glorious institutions; a day on which
the heart of every American freeman throbs with patriotic emo
tion. Seventy-five years have passed away since a few patriots
pledged ' their lives, their liberty, and their sacred honors ' to
throw off the shackles of British tyranny, and yet our country is
but in its infancy. The last of this brave band has passed away,
and even of those who flourished in the times that ' tried men's
souls ' but a small remnant remains scattered over the land.
Could those who were prominent actors during that fearful strug
gle revisit the earth and see the giant oak that has sprung up

270 KEMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

from the little acorn that they planted, great indeed would be
their astonishment. They would see a mighty empire stretching
from the St. John's to the Kio Grande, from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and flourishing cities standing where, but a few years ago,
the wigwam of the savage stood; the echoes of the shrill whistle
of the locomotive and steamboat now reverberates where the bay
ing of the wolf and the scream of the panther and the war whoop
of the savage alone were heard.

" No person with one spark of patriotism can look about him
and see the rank his country holds in the eyes of the world at
this time without emotion and pride. Let us then fervently
thank him who made and preserved us as a nation, let us renew
our oath on the altar of God, ' eternal hostility to every form of
t}rranny over the mind of man/

" Let us enjoy the day in a national manner as becomes free
men. Let us remember the unanimity of those who fought, bled,
and died for our country, and though the horizon is sometimes
clouded by the clamor of persons and fanatics, let us never lose
sight of our motto: ' Our Country, right or wrong,' and pray for
' The Union, now and forever/ ';

These sentiments of patriotic appeal awoke in the people of
Lowell the slumbering fires of loyalty and their demonstrations
were successive rounds of noisy cheers that more than repaid the
jester for the conspicuous part he played in the city's celebration.
The press pronounced his overtures a brilliant success and the
affair called forth a universal approbation.

HENKY CLAY AND DAN KICE.

Congress adjourning to attend a circus! Just imagine it. Dan
Eice, one of the celebrated showmen of the past generation, told
the story, and, of course, vouched for its truth. In April, 1850,
he appeared in the circus ring at Washington as the " great jester
and clown " to startle and delight the assembled statesmen.

The day had been set aside for Eice's benefit, and something
out of the ordinary must be done. He did it in an unexpected
manner. The members of both houses of Congress, the heads
of departments, the President and Cabinet, and scores of leading
people in the social life of the Capitol received elaborate invita
tions printed on satin for the benefit performance that day.
Nearly everybody accepted the invitation, and it was generally
supposed that the bits of satin were free passes to the show.

Among the first to arrive at the tent was Henry Clay with a
party of ladies. His colored servant was in advance, and the
satin invitations were presented as passes of admission.

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 271

" How many in the party? " sternly asked the doorkeeper, who
had been drilled for his post.

u Twelve/7 answered the great leader, solemnly but confi
dently.

" Twelve dollars! " exclaimed the doorkeeper; " buy your
tickets at the box-office/' Dan Kice was behind the canvas look
ing through a peephole and enjoying the evident agitation of
Mr. Clay, when, after fumbling in his pockets, he was unable
to find the necessary amount. The practical joker had provided
for such emergencies,, and had nearby a well-known Washington
tradesman of that period with pockets stuffed with silver dollars.
Henry Clay's embarrassment was relieved and his party passed
in. He remarked: " I'll bet this is one of Dan's tricks." It was.

Lewis Cass, who came later, was disposed to be ugly, but
neither he nor others of the distinguished statesmen hesitated
about taking the tradesman's money when necessary. It was a
great day for Dan, and a big success. President Zaeh. Taylor
was there; so were Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, Stephen A.
Douglas, and scores of others who were part of the history of that
epoch of National life. That Dan was a high-roller is evinced
by the fact that he rattled off fifty original verses of " local hits,"
and everybody was scored, from the austere President down to
the pages in Congress.

How PRESIDENT LINCOLN GOT KID OF A BORE.

During the early part of the war, while professionally visiting
Washington, Dan Rice called upon President Lincoln, whose
acquaintance he had made long before, while Mr. Lincoln was
practising in Springfield, 111. He was cordially received and in
vited to call again and again, for Dan was a good story-teller,
and so was the President, and herein was verified the old adage
of " birds of a feather." Upon one of these occasions Dan had
an illustration of Lincoln's adroit method of getting rid of a
bore.

He was in familiar chat with the President in the White
House, when the card of Judge Throckmorton, of Massachusetts,
who had been sent by the philanthropic people of that State to
protest against the placing of the negro troops in the front of
battle, and he forthwith began to urge upon the President the
necessity of interference in behalf of the colored brethren.

Lincoln listened courteously to his statement and then wrote
for the Judge a letter of introduction to Secretary of War
Stanton, under whose supervision the matter came. The Judge,
however, persisted in the discussion, and the President, who was
anxious to hear the conclusion of the story which Dan was in the

272 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

middle of when interrupted, turned and said, " Judge, excuse me,
1 neglected to introduce you to my friend here, Col. Dan Rice,
the most famous circus clown in the world."

The Judge was too dumfounded to extend his hand, but
bowed himself out, and remarked, as he passed the doorkeeper,
" Great heavens, is it possible that the President of the United
States can allow himself to be closeted with a clown ? "

PRESIDENT JOHNSON AND THE IMPEACHMENT FACTION.

There is an inside and unwritten history to every important
occurrence of a national character, and the following is Dan
Rice's version of the impeachment of President Johnson. Dur
ing the days of reconstruction, Dan Eice was a United States
detective, having been appointed by the President to protect the
interests of the government and the cotton raisers of the South
against the dishonesty of government agents.

Rice was in Washington at the time of Johnson's inauguration
and for a considerable time after, but, a few days before the event,
he was privy to a conversation between Johnson and Col. John
W. Forney, of Philadelphia.

While Rice was in communion with Johnson, Forney sent up
his card, and Rice retired to an adjoining room occupied by Colo
nel Moore, the President's private secretary, where he distinctly
overheard the conversation between the President and Colonel
Forney.

Hitherto the latter had been an admirer and staunch sup
porter of Johnson, having been intimately associated with him
during the events attending his accession to the Presidency. At
this interview, Forney presented a list of post-office and custom
house appointments for Philadelphia, for the President's sanc
tion. The latter said, " John, if there is anything I can do for
you personally, command me, but as President, I cannot accept
your slate."

Forney left the White House in undisguised anger, and upon
the following morning his papers, the "Washington Chronicle "
and the " Philadelphia Press," familiarly known in Washington
as " my two papers," both daily, opened upon the President in an
article' headed, " What is the matter at the White House? The
President closeted with a clown."

Now Rice was very intimate with Forney, and meeting him on
the street, he asked what was meant by the article in the papers.
Forney put it off with the reply, " Oh, it's a big thing for you,
Dan"

"But," said Dan, "you have made a mistake, the President
was right." At this Forney burst out, and complained bitterly

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 273

of his treatment, and in the height of his passion he swore that
he would ruin Johnson, as he had previously ruined Buchanan,
and Eice naturally surmised that this was the prelude to the open
rupture between the President's party and the impeachment
i'action.

The minds of the people, as well as of the government officers,
were filled with the suspicions of the times, and suggestions of
disloyalty, from any quarter, found ready credence. Forney did
everything in his power to ruin Johnson, even going so far as to
indirectly accuse him, through the columns of his papers, with
being concerned with the assassination of President Lincoln.

Too MUCH VIRTUE FOR THIRTEEN DOLLARS.

Few men have been upon such familiar terms with notable
characters, or individuals of national reputation, as Dan Kice,
and his reminiscences of the distinguished persons, who are fast
passing away, were equally entertaining and instructive. In an
early day he was introduced to General Houston by Henry Clay
and one day while walking with the former on Pennsylvania
Avenue, they encountered the Hon. Simon Cameron, with whom
Dan was also well acquainted. There was in company another
gentleman, a gallant officer, Captain Britton, of Corpus Christi,
and a celebrated Texas Ranger. He was a capital story-teller,
a-n immaculate dancer, and a perfect Chesterfield, or Beau Brum-
mel in his attire, and it was said that he was noted for his atten
tion to his toilet even preceding a battle. At the time he had
a company in the Mexican War, under General Taylor. Upon
a certain occasion the General issued an order that he would re
view the troops upon a specified morning. He had often heard
of the gallantry of Captain Britton's company, and of one Timo
thy Donahue, evidently an Irishman of culture, but who became
demoralized in Xew Orleans, and recruiting officers there in
duced him to enlist and go to Texas, where he joined Captain
Britton's company.

On the occasion alluded to, the roll was called, and all answered
but Timothy. Captain Britton suspected the cause, as Tim
would often get drunk when off duty. An orderly was dispatched
to the camp, where Tim was seen advancing and staggering with
musket on shoulder, and as he fell in, the Captain addressed him
in a very stern tone. " Timothy," said he, " you are drunk on
duty. 1 had hoped upon this occasion to have had General
Taylor make some recognition of your gallant deeds by shaking
hands with you, but here you are drunk on duty. He answered,
"Hist Captain, not another word: how do you expect all the
virtues in a man for thirteen dollars a month? "
18

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

SHAKING HANDS WITH MAJESTY.

Dan Eice claimed to be the only American that ever shook
hands with Queen Victoria. Years ago when Franklyn Pierce
was President, and Uncle Dan was not quite old enough to be an
uncle, he was a bearer of State despatches from Washington to
England. The despatches were received by Her Majesty in per
son, who, upon taking them, handed the package to the secre
tary. She then bowed very graciously as if to intimate that the
interview was at an end, and in doing so slightly extended her
hand. Dan instantly put forth his huge paw, seized her hand,
and said in his hearty style, " My dear Madame, this is the
American fashion," and he gave it a hearty shake.

Dan says that the story of young Van Buren having danced
with her, he believes to be all " poppycock," but that it is true
that he shook her hand for all it was worth, much to the horror
and amazement of the secretary.

But since that time, other Americans, and the real, simon-
pure article, have had the honor of giving Queen Victoria a hand
shaking. Upon her Majesty's visit to Buffalo BilPs Wild West
Show in London, after the performance she interviewed the In
dian chiefs, when, according to the published report, " Yellow-
Striped Face," the half-breed interpreter, was presented, and
then came two squaws, mothers of two pappooses in the camp.
The little girl pappoose was first presented. The Queen patted
her cheek with her black-silk gloved hand, and then the little
thing stuck out her brown paw, and the Queen shook it. After
this the Queen stepped back but the mother was not content.
She walked up and stuck out her hand, and the Queen shook
hands gravely and bowed. Then the other squaw came up and
said, " How," and offered her hand, and, finally, a little brown
boy pappoose came up and offered his hand. The Queen shook
hands with them all, these being the only members of the Wild
West party who were thus honored. Then Messrs. Cody and
Salisbury were presented. Both of them bowed gravely, and
Colonel Cody smiled pleasantly at the compliment paid to him
by the Queen. She told him that she had been very much inter
ested and that his skill was very great. A moment after this an
equerry signalled for the carriage, and it came dashing up. The
Queen gave directions to have the top of the carriage lowered.
She then turned to the Marquis of Lome and extended to him
her right hand. He bent very low and kissed it and then fell
back.

DAN BICE'S GRATITUDE.
An interesting incident is related in a late number of the

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 275

" Reading Gazette." It appears that some fourteen years ago
Dan left Heading with an exhibition of some sort, which turned
out badly, and involved the proprietor in difficulty. Judge
Heidenreich, of Berks County, found him in this condition, and
lent him a horse and wagon, in order that he might pursue his
business. Dan was still unsuccessful. In this dilemma he was
forced to sell the horse and wagon, which the Judge had only
loaned him, in order to raise means to take his wife home to
Pittsburg. Not long after this he obtained a situation in one of
the theatres of the city, where the Judge saw and recognized him,
and in the morning called at his lodgings. Dan was still poor,
and fully expected reproaches, if nothing worse, from his old
patron, but instead of these the Judge insisted on his going to
the tailor's and being fitted out at his expense. To this, how
ever, Dan would not consent, and they parted, naver to meet
again until one day, when his company was performing at
Reading and the Judge came to attend court. Dan's first duty
was to hunt up his old friend and invite him to take a short ride
about town, to which he consented, and a horse and vehicle were
soon at the door.

Dan's equipage, like that of his profession generally, seemed
a pretty stylish turnout. It consisted of a bran new carriage of
elegant make and a spick and span new set of glistening harness.
The drive was taken and enjoyed, and time flew swiftly by, as the
two friends talked and laughed over the half-forgotten events of
old times. Dan drove the Judge back to his lodgings, stepped
out upon the pavement, and, before the Judge had time to rise
from his seat, handed him the reins and whip, with a graceful
bow, and said, " These are yours, Judge, the old horse and wagon
restored, with interest; take them with Dan Rice's warmest grati
tude! " The Judge was stricken dumb with amazement for a few
moments, but soon recovered his self-possession and began to
remonstrate. But Dan was inexorable; he closed his lips firmly,
shook his head, waved a polite adieu to his old friend in the
carriage, walked off to his hotel, and left the Judge to drive the
handsome equipage, now really his own, to the stable.

How TO DETECT A KENTUCKIAN.

When introducing his famous horse Excelsior at Mblo's Gar
den, New York, in the winter of 1857, a controversy arose " be
hind the scenes," as to whether there was a Kentuckian in the
audience. " I'll settle that dispute," said Dan, and going for
ward he proceeded to give a brief history of the horse and his
pedigree. " He was," he commenced, " sired by Kentucky's
favorite horse, ' Gray Eagle ' " (applause from one person only),

276 REMINISCENCES OF DAN KICE

Dan continued, " and further, ladies and gentlemen, he was
foaled in Kentucky." Thereupon the enthusiastic gentleman
who had before applauded, arose and shouted, " Dan Rice, so was
I." Great laughter and applause, when Dan, with finger on
his nose, remarked, " My friend, you're not the only jackass that
has been foaled in Kentucky." There was uproarious laughter,
but the Kentuckian failed to see the point.

A SHOWMAN'S LAST REQUEST.

In the early stage of the " one-horse show," Dan Rice's only
performers were Jean Johnson and James O'Connell, known as
the tattooed man who professed to have the same distinguishing
embellishments upon his cutaneous coat as the Fiji Islanders, al
though it is doubtful if his acquaintance with that geographical
part of the globe had any closer relation than in his imagination.
His principal act was in dancing a hornpipe between rows of
eggs, which was really an agile and clever feat. While travelling
with the show, he was taken sick and unable to perform, but he
was kindly looked after by Dan Rice and the few members that
comprised the company. They did not abandon or leave him
behind but carried him along, although his malady increased and
his condition became hopeless. Finding the closing hour ap
proaching, he made a characteristic request which was finally
carried out. When committed to the earth the band played a
lively tune and Jean Johnson danced a hornpipe over the grave.
Poor O'Connell thought, and perhaps justly, that the transition
from a life of privation and suffering was more appropriately
celebrated by music and mirth than grief and lamentation. As
stated, these two performers with Dan Rice as clown and vocalist,
together with the band and the perfomance of the wonderful
horse, made up the show, and a more popular one never travelled
the length and breadth of the American continent. In the slang
language of the profession, other circuses, no matter how exten
sive or chock-full of performers, had to " get up and get " when
Dan's avant courier made his appearance.

THE FOUR-LEAF CLOVER.

In the summer of 1842, Dan Rice was exhibiting in Pennsyl
vania. It was a hall exhibition wherein he perfomed feats of
strength, legerdemain, and other miscellaneous acts, to the grati
fication and astonishment of the primitive Teutonic denizens of
that region. Some of his prestidigitating illusions in particular
were amazing to the rustic population, who spread the report that
he was "ter tuyfil " himself. Dan and his assistant travelled

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 277

with a horse and wagon loaned him by Mr. Heidelright, of Cooks-
town, an admirer of Dan's and who subsequently became a county
judge. In due course they arrived at the village of Womeldorf
and put up at the tavern in the place kept by an old Pennsylvania
German, who, like the majority of the inhabitants, was a firm
believer in the power and efficacy of the four-leaf clover in pro
tecting its possessor from evil influence and impositions. Dan
issued his advertisement for an exhibition which was to be given
in the dining-hall of the tavern, and, being apprised that the
landlord had provided himself with a four-leaf clover, he resolved
to humor his conceit. Accordingly upon the night of the exhibi
tion he borrowed a quarter of a dollar from the old gentleman
which he placed in a box and announced his intention to transfer
it to another box, which the landlord held in his hand, and who all
the time had one of the fingers of the other hand upon the four-
leaf clover. Dan, in his conjuration, uttered a few words of gib
berish but the charm wouldn't work, and, to his apparent chagrin
and mortification, he gave it up when the elated landlord, draw
ing forth the four-leaf clover, held it exultingly aloft, at the same
time exclaiming, " Ah, ah, you show fellers can't fool me. By
himinel, I got das four-leaf clover and so I beats ' ter tuyfil.' '
The audience applauded to the echo, nor was there one who was
not satisfied of the superior power of the quadruple-leaf clover
over the magic of " ter tuyfil."

In the meantime Dan had instructed his attendant to harness
their horse, load up the traps and wait a short distance upon the
road where he was presently joined by Dan, who had uncere
moniously decamped without settling the bill, leaving behind
him the following brief note. " How about that four-leaf
clover; have you got it yet? You can't be fooled, eh; but you
see you can't beat ' ter tuyfil.' ''

It was seven years after this occurrence, in 1849, that Dan was
in the zenith of his fame, with a splendidly equipped circus and
travelling luxuriantly in a carriage formerly belonging to Louis
Philippe, the deposed King of the French. The route lay
through Pennsylvania and Dan instructed his agent to make a
stand at Womeldorf, much to the latter's surprise, as the "Show"
was not wont to exhibit at so small a place. But Dan, remem
bering the scurvy joke he had played upon the landlord, had a
mind to see how he would regard the reappearance of "ter
tuyfil."

The old German was well aware that his old customer was the
proprietor of the big show, and as the cortege filed past the
tavern, he sat in an easy chair upon the porch looking anxiously
for the fellow who had served him the trick. During the per
formance Dan told the story in the ring amid peals of merriment

278 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

at the expense of the landlord and his four-leaf clover. The old
fellow, however, sat stolid and unmoved, but the next morning
upon settling the bill, Dan's old account was found annexed,
which Dan laughingly paid.

ANXIOUS TO FILL THE BILL.

While Dan Rice's Circus was in Memphis " long 'fore de war,"
as the darkies say, Colonel Bankhead, editor of the " Memphis
Whig/' presented his bill 'for advertising at the ticket wagon,
which was promptly paid and the genial editor wished the show a
run of good luck. A short time afterwards Dan Rice received
the following letter:

DEAR DAX: In the money paid me for advertising there was
a counterfeit two-dollar bill which I return. Please send me
another at your earliest convenience. Yours etc.

In the course of a month Dan answered the letter with an en
closure. It read: "Dear Colonel: I have travelled through the
State of Indiana before I could find ' another ' such a bill as you
desired me to send. I hope it will suit you.

Yours,

DAN RICE.

The editor recognized the sell and enjoyed the joke and pub
lished the correspondence.

A GIFT THAT WAS DECLINED.

Dan Rice has, perhaps, been the recipient of as many favors
as any public living man, but at Meadville, in the vicinity of his
then home, he received an offer which he was fain to decline.
After a long and arduous season of travel his mental condition
was such that he was constrained to retire and seek quiet and
repose at-home. He quickly recuperated and, visiting Meadville,
he was congratulated by the friends he met there upon his
recovery. Among them was an elongated specimen of a Penn
sylvania undertaker, named Jonathan Long, a most appropriate
patronymic for one of his longitude. Striding up to Dan and
extending his hand, " Dan," said he, " I have not forgotten that
when I was a boy you made me a present of a pony, and I feel
grateful to you to this day. Now, some time while travelling in
some outlandish country, like Texas or Arkansas, you may be

JOEL E. WARNER

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 279

taken sick and die and all I have to say, old fellow, is this, that
I want you to send me word and I will send on the finest burial
casket in my establishment for you to remember me by."

One of Dan's peculiarities was to give ponies to boys, whether
he was acquainted with them or not, and no souvenir is more
acceptable to the average youth. He will remember the donor
to the end of time.

A LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN.

At the time that the Fifteenth Amendment was passed Dan
B ice's show was up the Eed Eiver and advertised to exhibit at
Cotile, some distance above Alexandria. The news of the pas
sage of the amendment spread far and wide and created much
excitement especially among the newly liberated colored popula
tion, but few of whom, however, could explain wrhat it actually
meant. There was one who was particularly anxious. His
name was Ben Colfax and he was looked up to by the colored
community of that section as an oracle. Accordingly he hied
himself to an Israelite who kept a plantation supply store, to
explain what the Fifteenth Amendment meant. The Jew, who
was a jocular sort of fellow, told him it meant that every colored
man in the country must provide himself with fifteen wives.

At this explanation Ben snapped his fingers, gave a bound,
and exclaimed, " I'm d — d if I ain't a law-abiding citizen."

Two days after this conference with the Jew, Ben called at
the ticket wagon where Dan himself was presiding and^ handing
in a dollar, said, " Massa Eice, give me a ticket for my wife."

He got the ticket, when he handed in another dollar, with the
request of another ticket for his wife. The second ticket was
given him. " And now," said he, " give me another ticket for
my wife."

" Why, Ben," exclaimed Dan, " how many wives have you? "

" Massa Eice," replied the uxorious Ben, " I was a law-abiding
citizen and I mean to lib up to that Fifteenth Amendment. I
hab only known about it two days and I got already five wives,
but before the week's out I'll hab the hull fifteen amendment,
you bet."

Capt. Thomas P. Leathers, a most unique and interesting char
acter, can be classed as one of the early friends of Mr. Eice in
Xew Orleans; and during all the intervening years that connect
the past and present, no circumstance ever occurred to mar that
friendship or create a doubt as to the genuine hearty principles
of Captain Leathers. He was a Kentuckian by birth, claiming

280 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Covington as his native place, and is now about four-score. He
was also the oldest steamboat man in the country.

Being a man of great individuality and firmness of character,
his name is a household word throughout the Mississippi Valley.
His bearing was very commanding, for he stood over six feet and
was as fine a specimen of physical manhood as the eye of man
ever looked upon. Mr. Rice said that his whole life has been
devoted to good deeds, which fact commands respect, and lie was
honored and beloved by all wrho knew him. His successful ca
reer as a steamboat captain was the result of pure merit. Lead
ing a life of constant activity, he was, naturally, a great friend of
Mr. Rice's " One-Horse Show/' when it was situated on St.
Charles Street, in New Orleans, during the winter of 1851 and
1852, and he never failed to give it his patronage whenever lie
was in the city. At that time the clouds of adversity hung heavy
over the establishment in St. Charles Street, for Mr. Rice was
battling with enemies and fate, and striving to regain what he
had lost by a misplaced confidence in men who were previously
his partners and pretended friends. Captain Leathers, being
aware of the villainous treatment to which Mr. Rice had been
subjected, and which was still trying to crush him, never ceased
to condemn those men who, adding insult to injury, were en
deavoring to ruin Mr. Rice's efforts in exhibiting under a tent,
while they, representing a strong circus company with plenty of
means at command, were playing in the American Theatre on
P — Street. Public sentiment was strongly in favor of Mr. Rice,
as he was a general favorite, and its sympathies were with him,
therefore it would not tolerate the vituperation of his enemies
against him. That fact, coupled with his peculiar satires on the
wrongs he had previously endured, was sufficient cause to ruin
their prospects of success, and in a few weeks they were com
pelled to leave and extend their efforts in the upper river coun
try. So incensed were the people of New Orleans against the
proprietors, Spaulding and Van Orden, of the circus in the Amer
ican Theatre, that, before they left the city, it was positively
unsafe for them to appear on the streets after dark. Thus prov
ing that public sentiment shapes its own circumstances in ad
justing' its interpretations of right and wrong. Mr. Rice's suc
cess was unprecedented throughout the season, and though his
enemies eluded the warfare of his scathing satire by escaping
from New Orleans, they renewed their attacks against him dur
ing the season of 1852 with increased attractions, the principle
feature of which was W. F. Wallett, " The Queen's Jester,"

REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE 281

ElCE IN THE RING.
ARENIC WIT. — GROTESQUE HUMOR.

It is said that " variety is the spice of life/' and the miscellany
which we have compiled would not be complete without a selec
tion of the jokes, repartee, and quaint sayings of Dan Rice, when
playing the fool in the sawdust arena. Unlike the stereotyped
edition of modern clowns he never studied his jokes, they were
rendered off-hand and upon local and immediate events, many of
which would actually occur within the pavilion or theatre during
the performance. To " shoot folly as it flies " was his peculiar
forte, and he never repeated a joke. The ring master, whose
province it was to reply, was frequently nonplused in a vain
endeavor to conjecture what was aimed at or when or where the
point of the joke would come in. His apt and ready extempore
wit, as much of a novelty then as now, took his audiences by
storm, and he at once, meteor-like, shot upward to the very
zenith of his profession. He has had scores of imitators, and so
had Shakespeare and Dickens, but they have fallen as far short
of the original Dan Rice as the modern playwrights are beneath
the Bard of Avon, or as the strained humor of the imitators of
" Boz " is flat and insipid in comparison with their illustrious
model. Of course the following dialogues occurred at various
times and in various places, and as before stated they were ex
tempore, without any prearrangement with the ring master. The
scrap-books of Mr. Rice having been preserved, we are able to
draw from the vast repository countless selections, a few of which
are given by way of illustration.

DAN RICE AND THE RING MASTER.
COLLOQUY. — THE POWER OF MILDNESS.

The rider comes into the arena for his act and before mount
ing the horse, throws off his top garment and hands it to Mr.
Rice, and when the rider pauses in the act, the clown has folded
the cloak about his form. The ring master exclaims:

Ring Master — " Why, fool, wrapping yourself in the cloak of
the rider on a mild night like this surprises me."

Clown — " Shakespeare says, ' When the clouds begin to gather,
then wise men put on their cloaks.' Master, just before I en
tered the arena I looked without and found the clouds were thick
and ominous. Though this is the first time I ever assumed the
abandoned habit of my neighbor."

R. M.—" And still thou art a fool "

282 REMINISCENCES OF DAX RICE

Clown — " And yet I am a wise fool, for Shakespeare says, ' I
have it in my nose ' " (pointing to his nose).

R. M. — " You have, goodness knows/'

Clown — " You spoke, Master, of the mildness of the weather;
do you know there is a great power in mildness? "

R. M. — " Explain yourself, as you are such a wise fool."

Clown — " You know the fable in which ^.'Esop related the con
test between the wind and the sun, demonstrating as to which of
them should make the traveller part with his cloak. Also ailord-
ing an illustration of the means most likely or effective in induc
ing men to throw aside their prejudices; or, as the Jews or any
other religious sect Avould prefer in each case to cling to the faith
of their forefathers. As to the story of the traveller and his
cloak, it is told thus in the old nursery rhyme:

" ' The wind quite a hurricane blew,
But could not provoke
Him to part with his cloak,
Which around him the closer he drew.'

" The mild, melting rays of the sun, however, made garment
oppressive and inclined him to throw it aside.

MORAL.

" 'Tis thus that we find
The great mass of mankind;

By mildness are easily won;
Persecution compare
To the boisterous air,

Eeligion's the light of the sun."

DESCRIPTION OF A COQUETTE.
COLLOQUY.

Clown — " Master, you know Shakespeare says, ' All the world's
a stage, and men and women are but players, and in their lives
play ma.ny parts! '

R. M. — " Very true, sir, very true."

Clown — " I saw the other day a character they call a coquette."

P. M. — " Ah, indeed! Can you describe it? "

Clown—" Yes, sir; I'll attempt it."

R, M. — " Well, give us your version of a coquette, Mr. Merry-
man."

Clown — " It's a female, Mr. Master, who is fond of you for a
moment; faithless for a year; fickle forever. A painted doll, a

REMINISCENCES OF DAX PJCE 283

glittering trifle, a feather, a toy, a bauble. A transient pleasure
or eternal pain. An embodiment of absurdities, and a collection
of contradictions! "

P. M. — " Mr. Merryman, you are entirely too hard on the
ladies."

Clown — " I said nothing about ladies, Master, I said a female.
But for fear my remark might be misinterpreted by many, in
justice to myself, I wish it distinctly understood that I respect
everything in the shape of a female, or, I may say, woman,
whether she is of lowly or exalted birth, rich or poor. In fact,
my admiration and love for woman is so great, I never neglect
to show my gallantry; even if you hung a bonnet or nightcap on
a post, I would pay homage to it."

R. M. (applauds) — " Well done, well done, Mr. Rice."

Clown — " In truth, as Byron says, ' I wish all women's mouths
were melted into one that I might kiss them all at once, and

E. M.— "And what?"

Clown — " And then, let 7em run."

(The rider goes out and the Ring Master prepares to follow,
but the clown advances ahead of him. This challenges the Ring
Master to reprimand him. He roughly seizes the clown and
hurls him back saying):

E. M. — " Remember sir, I never follow a fool."

Clown — " All right, Master, I'm not so particular about it; I
will." (Clown stops at the door, turns his face to the audience
and soliloquizes.)

Clown — " He ruthlessly hurled me from him! Why did he use
me thus? I love him ever. As Shakespeare says,

" Let Hercules himself do what he may,
The cat will mew, and dog will have his day.'

And that is the beauty of this great country, where the god of
equality rides on every gale. To-day I shine my master's shoes,
to-morrow my beaver's up, he may have to shine mine! We all
cannot be masters; and all masters cannot be truly followed, but
sooner than he expects my master may find he's left the wisest
man behind, for I've noticed that,

" ' When one sweeps a room,

The dirt always goes before the broom/ '•

COLLOQUY.

Mr. Rice — " I have read the Bible, sir, with a great deal of
interest and marvelled at its metaphors."

284: REMINISCENCES OF DAX EICE

E. M. — " What circumstance has led you to that conclusion,
Mr. Eice?"

Mr. Rice — " Well, I have read that the good Lord gave to Xoah
the vine and told him to plant it, and reap its fruit. I also read
in the Bible that ' wine gives joy to the human heart/ Further
more our Saviour turned water into wine and drank it, and even
used it in holy communion. I find, however, that the water
simpleton, the rich man in torment who lifted up his eyes to
Lazarus, pleaded for a drop of water. Ah! Master, many opinions
conflict on the wine question."

'R. M.—" That is very true, sir."

Mr. Rice — " Byron says,

" i Wine invigorates the soul of man,

Makes glow the cheek of beauty;
Makes heroes fight and poets write,
And friendship do its duty.' r

R. M.— "Beautiful! That is a beautiful thought, sir."

Mr. Rice — " Then you appreciate it, Mr. Master? "

JK. M .— " I do, sir."

Mr. Rice (insinuatingly) — " I know why."

R. M.—" Well, sir, explain why."

Mr. Rice — " Because you are in favor of wine."

R. M. — " Well, Mr. Eice, I confess I do enjoy a glass of fine
wine at dinner."

Mr. Rice — " Then, sir, you love woman."

R. M. — " Does that necessarily follow? "

Mr. Rice — " Most assuredly! I have an authority for it."

R. M.— "Indeed?"

Mr. Rice — " Yes. It is said that a man who loves a horse,
loves woman, and he who does not love a horse, women, or wine,
lives a fool his whole lifetime."

COLLOQUY.

A young lady comes into the arena to perform her act, and the
Eing Master, addressing the Clown, says:

R. M.—" Mr. Eice, assist the lady."

Clown — " Oh, yes, a sweet maid of tender years." (The clown
in assisting makes a painful effort and assumes an attitude as of
suffering.)

R. M. (assuming alarm) — "Why, Mr. Eice, what is the
matter? Have you hurt yourself lifting the lady on her horse? "

Clown — " I took a crick in my side, sir. You see, Master, I'm
getting old; it is hard to raise a girl now."

R. M. — " Yes, I see you are getting very old."

KEMINISCEXCES OF DAN EICE 285

Clown — " Yes, Mr. blaster, but I am strong and lusty, for in
my youth I did not apply the hot, rebellious liquors to my blood."

"R. M. — " Xo, but you have made up for it in your advanced
years."

Clown — " You bet! I have had a heap of fun with John Bar
leycorn, and have paid the penalty of my folly."

R. M. — " I am aware of the fact, sir. Mr. Rice, it is an old
truism that, ' An honest confession is good for the soul.' ':

Clown — " I am glad you approve of my confession in so priestly
a style. Xow, being absolved from the error of ray ways and
turned over a new leaf— " (hesitates).

P. M. — " Well, then, Mr. Rice, take good care it doesn't blow
back again."

Clown — " But, Master, I am perfectly cognizant of the fact
that, ( To err is human; to forgive divine,' and you will over
look and forgive my youthful indiscretions? "

R. M.—" I do so, fully, sir."

R. M. — " Very good, Mr. Rice. Xow see what the young lady
stopped for."

Clown — " I know what she stopped for."

R. M. (looking earnestly at the clown). — " Well, sir, what did
she stop for?"

Clown (innocently) — " Why, you did not know, Master, that
I'm a psychologist? "

R. M.—" Xo, sir."

Clown — " Yes, sir, I am, and I know what the lady stopped for
without going to ask her."

R. M. (cracking the whip) — " Then tell me immediately, sir."

Clown — " Hold your whip. I will tell you. She stopped to
start again, sir."

R. M. (annoyed) — " Why you ridiculous fool."

Clown (strikes an attitude) — " Xo, not ridiculous, Master; I'm
a happy fool. I'm rara avis in terra, a happy man! "

(The rider at this point starts to finish her act of horsemanship
and in taking her graceful pose, a sudden increase of speed caused
her to fall from her horse, fortunately landing on her feet. While
assistants were readjusting the difficulty, there was, necessarily,
a delay, and the clown's duty on such occasions is to draw the
attention of the audience from the incident, and at the same time
to so govern his remarks as to appropriately fill the gap caused
by the sudden detention with well-timed wit and humor. Turn
ing to the rider, he remarks):

Clown — " Don't be discouraged, young lady, you know Shakes
peare says,

" ' Woman must fall once in her life,
Be she maid, widow, or wife.'

286 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

Then turns to the Ring Master and exclaims, ' So fell our mother
Eve, and Adam heard it.' r'

Looking at the horse being made ready, he inquires:

Clown — " What made the young lady fall from her horse, Mr.
Master?"

R. M. — " The horse gave a sudden start; the trappings became
disarranged and a strap broke, striking him on the forearms/'

Clown — " And that caused him to run irregular? "

R. M.—" Certainly, sir."

Clown — " Even Shakespeare knew that, for he says, ( The
slightest alteration in the pace of the animal mars the beauty
of the most gifted equestrian/ But it never interfers with my
riding, Mr. Master."

R. M.—" How is that, sir? "

Clown — "Why, I'm like the immortal Abraham Lincoln, in
early times in the practice of his legal profession he always trav
elled on ' Shanks' s Mare/ and that is the same vehicle I ride in,
Mr, Master. But the lady landed on her feet. She must be a
Jersey girl, Master, and gifted with a broad tire for travelling in
the sand."

R. M.—" Why so, sir?"

Clown — " Because in Jersey they have to travel in the sand,
especially when they go shell-fishing."

COLLOQUY.

As a lady rider appears in the arena, the clown remarks:
Clown — " The lady is so unique and so artistic in her terpsi-
chorean displays, that it stamps her a star."

Jf?. M. — " You are very complimentary to the lady, Mr. Bice."
Clown (aside) — " As Shakespeare says, ' A little flattery some
times does well.' ';

R. M.—" Ah! But you cause the lady to blush."
Clown — " Why didn't you blush, Mr. Master, last evening in
reference to yourself? "
jf2. M.— "Why so, sir?"

Clown — "When I quoted Shakespeare, and applied it, as I
thought, most appropriately."

R. M. — " Why, I don't remember, sir. What was it? "
Clown — " I said you were a marvellously gay fellow, with a
good leg and foot, and a whip for an emblem."

R. M. — "And I'll show you, sir, that I know how to handle
it." (And cracks the whip, apparently striking the clown on his
lower limbs, which causes him to assume an attitude of pain, and
exclaim):

REMINISCENCES OF DAX 1UCE 287

Cloii'n — " Master, you have made a mistake. I never allow
any one to feed crackers to my calves! "

R. M. — " You discover, sir, that I am not susceptible to
flattery/'

Clown — " Then, sir, you stand isolated and alone in the world."

#. If ._« How so, sir?"

Clown — " For Dean Swift says that,

" ' It is an old maxim taught in schools,
That flattery is the food of fools;
And now and then the wisest wit,
Will condescend to take a bit.7 r

B. M.—" Why, sir, I'm not a fool."

Clown — " Well, according to Shakespeare and Burns, we are
all fools to a great or less extent. Shakespeare says, ' A man who
commits a foolish action is a fool for doing so.' Now, show me,
Master, one who never committed a foolish action and I will
show you a white chicken that lays a black egg."

7?. M.—" Well, what does Bobbie Burns say about it? "

Clown — " He says,

" ' My son, these maxims mak' a rule,

An' bind them weel togither,
Th' rigid righteous is a fool,
Th' rigid wise anither.' ':

R. M. — " Well, sir, that will do now. Go and see what the
lady requires."

Clown (aside)—" Go yourself."

(Ring Master cracks his whip as if in anger, exclaiming very
emphatically): " What is that you say, sir? "

Clown — "I won't do anything else! Why, Master, don't get
angry at the clown's folly. On reflection, I find that I am mis
taken."

R. M.—" Explain yourself, sir."

Clown — " Why, in my opinion, you'll never go mad, for the
immortal Bard of Avon, my favorite author, says, ' Fools never
run mad.' Now I'll seek more agreeable company, and see what
the star requires. Master, if this lady was not worthy of being
classed in the category of equestrian constellations, still she is a
star, in my humble judgment. For ' Woman is the morning-
star of infancy, the day-star of manhood, the evening-star of age.
Bless your stars! May we ever bask in the sunny smiles of their
starry influence until they blow us sky high and make us see
stars out of our own eyes! ' The clown moves towards the
Master and apparently puts his finger in his eye. At the same
time asking, " Master, did they ever make you see stars? "

288 REMINISCENCES OF DAN RICE

R. M.—" No, sir " (angrily).

Clown — " You've not been married long enough yet. When
you have, she'll show you."

R. M. — " But you have already shown me, sir, by putting your
finger in my eye." (Covering his eye as if it hurt him.) " Sup
pose, sir, you had put my eye out ? "

Clown — " I always suit the action to the word; the word to the
action." (Ring Master, with his hand still on his eye, angrily
chases the clown with the whip.)

Clown (falling on his knee, imploringly raises his hands, ex
claiming) — " Master, I beg your pardon; I did not mean to hurt
you."

R. M. — " Well, sir, rise. I forgive you."

Clown — " You do forgive me ? Then give me your hand [both
extend hands]. That's Christian-like, Mr. Master, for as we ex
pect forgiveness, so should we be ready to forgive. [Shakes hands
cordially]. Now, Master, as you have been so liberal as to for
give me, I have one request to make."

R. M.— "What is it, sir?"

Clown (rising) — " Give me —

jf?. Jf._«Weil, what is it?"

Clown — " A chew of tobacco."

R. M. — " I never chew, sir. I never use the weed."

Clown — "Then you cannot give me what you do not have. You
are in a similar fix to that of Bobbie Burns when a friend wrote
to him for the loan of a sum of money. Burns replied:

" ' A man may have an earnest heart,

Though poverty often stares him;
A friend can take another's part,
But have no cash to spare him.' ';

R. M. — " Now, Mr. Rice, all this is very pleasant and agree
able, but suppose you had put my eye out when you pointed your
finger in my face? "

Clown — " Then you would have been in the same fix that Lord
Nelson was in when he called to the lookout, ' Do you see Tra
falgar? ' The man replied, ' Yes, I think I do.' The answer not
being satisfactory to Nelson, he said, ' I'll go aloft and go one
eye on it,' having lost an eye in a previous engagement."

R. M. — " Do you think the great admiral saw positively what
the lookout was not positive of? "

Clown — " Most assuredly."

R. M. — "Explain how Nelson could see accurately with one
eye what the lookout could not with two."

Clown — "I will illustrate to you. Suppose you had lost an
eye, you could see me with two eyes while I could see you with

HEMINISCENCES OF DAX BICE 280

but one. Do you see the p'int, Master? Now, again, suppose I
had put both your eyes out? "

R. If. — " Suppose you had done so, Mr. Kice, it would have
been a most lamentable misfortune."

Clown — " I think not, from a moral standpoint, especially in
your case."

R, J/.—" How so?"

Clown — " I have read in the Good Book, i What the eye does
not see, the heart does not grieve after.' >'

COLLOQUY.

Mr. Rice — " Do you know, Mr. Master, there are six signs of
a fool?"

E. M.—" Well, what are they? "

Mr. Rice — " A fool may be known (1) In anger without cause;
(2) In speech without profit; (3) In change without motive; (4)
In inquiries without object; (5) In putting faith in a stranger; (6)
In not knowing one's friends from one's foes."

R. M. — " I take issue with you, Mr. Rice, on the sixth point."

Mr. Rice — " Explain, Master."

R. M. — " He must be a brainless fool not to know his friend
from his foe; for all animals from the highest to the lowest grade
know a friend from a foe."

Mr. Rice — " No, no; Master, I differ with you. I don't think
there is such a thing as a brainless fool, for no person can live
without brains."

R. M. — " Well, I agree with you, Mr. Eice; no one can live
without brains a great while."

Mr. Rice — " I beg to differ with you again, Mr. Master. I
know they can live without brains."

R. M. — " Well, you are so very sharp, tell me how long a man
can live without brains."

Mr. Rice — " Well, I can't exactly tell how long they can live
without brains, but if any one will tell me how old you are, I'll
tell him how long a man has lived without them."

R. M. — " Oh, sir, you are a fool indeed."

Mr. Rice — " Shakespeare says, ' Call me not a fool till heaven
has sent me a fortune.' Master, heaven has not been very kind
to me. It sent me a fortune at one time, and then sent a man to
fool me out of it."

R. M.—" I've heard so."

Mr. Rice — " I was young then; but, let them fool me now! "

COLLOQUY.

Mr. Rice — " Let us suppose a case. If I should hit you and
knock you down what would you do? "
19

290 REMINISCENCES OF DAN EICE

R. M. — " Discharge you/'

Mr. Rice — " I don't understand you."

R. M. — " I mean I would ship you off."

Mr. Rice — " Then I congratulate you,, Master/'

R. M.— "Why so, sir?"

Mr. Rice — " You would then be a shipping merchant, you
could not locate nor go into business in a better city nor among
more agreeable people."

R. M. — " Xo, no; you don't understand me, I mean that I
would trade you off."

Mr. Rice — " Then you would be dealing in produce."

R. If.— "How so, sir?"

Mr. Rice — " Because you would be trading in Rice, well, who
ever you might sell me to, they would find me a tough customer
to chew on. I might be palatable but the devil himself couldn't
digest me. However, whether I might be found palatable or not,

" In my own guise I appear

Shining dimly or bright,
If it's shining at all

'Tis with borrowed light.

And in speaking of the devil reminds me of hell. Do you know

where hell is, Master? "

R. M.—" No, sir, I do not; do you? "

Mr. Rice — " Yes, it is here [placing his hand upon his heart]

each one in his life creates his own hell, and the devil is at our

elbow."

Mr. Rice — " Some very religious people pronounce cards to be

the devil's book. You play, I suppose?"
E. M.—" Yes, sir, a little."
Mr. Rice — " A little [aside] . I saw him playing euchre on a

cellar door yesterday."

R. M. — "What are you muttering about, sir?"

Mr. Rice — " I said I never heard you say so before. Well,

if you do play, you ought to be fond of High, Low, Jack, and

the Game."

E. M.— "Why so, sir?"

Mr. Rice — " Because you would be likely to win."

R. M. — " Always likely to win. Pray tell me how? "

Mr. Rice — " Because you would be always low."

R. M. — " You are impertinent, Mr. Merryman [cutting him

with the whip] ; take that. How do you like that trick? " (Mr.

Rice rushes and knocks him down.)

R. M. (rising) — " Zounds, sir, what do you mean by that? "
Mr. Rice — "Oh, I just thought I would throw